“On October 24, Häkkänen refused permission to 11 potential buyers from countries outside the European Union and the European Economic Area to purchase real estate in Finland. […] The applicants are citizens of Russia, Israel, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan,” the statement says.
According to the Ministry of Defense, we are talking about commercial, forestry, residential and recreational properties in nine communities in Finland: Mikkeli, Pargas, Puumala, Taipalsaari, Savonlinna, Simo, Kouvola, Kolari and Tornio.
“Real estate is a tool for hybrid influence. Therefore, we will prevent any real estate transactions that, in our assessment, could threaten our national security and security of supply, and also possibly complicate the organization of the country’s defense,” Häkkänen said.
He recalled that in the summer a complete ban on real estate transactions for Russians and Belarusians came into force in Finland.
