Finnish border guards have used gas canisters against a group of migrants who arrived from Russia at the Finnish border point of Niirala. According to local television channel MTV3, citing Deputy Commander of the North Karelia Border Guard Samuli Murtone, the border guards stopped a group of approximately 30 people who had arrived on bicycles and were attempting to cross the border.
Murtone explained that force had to be used to stop the migrants as they were not obeying orders. As a result, gas was sprayed towards one of the migrants in order to regain control of the situation. The individuals themselves were seeking asylum in Finland. At present, the migrants have already crossed the border into Finland and are under the authority’s custody, with the asylum process underway, clarified the deputy commander.
Yesterday, it was announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland is preparing legislation to completely close the border with Russia in case the reduction of operating border checkpoints fails to reduce the influx of migrants. The European Union’s border control agency, Frontex, has stated its readiness to send forces to the border with Russia to prevent an increase in illegal crossings. In response, the Kremlin has accused Helsinki of making a mistake by choosing a confrontational path. More details can be found in the “Gazeta.Ru” article.
Earlier, Finland outlined the condition for canceling the decision to close the border checkpoints with Russia.
