HELSINKI, Sept 7: Finland's defence ministry said Friday it had blocked six non-EU buyers from purchasing real estate in the country for national security reasons, as Helsinki plans a ban on Russians buying property.
Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen rejected six permits for real estate transactions requested by non-EU and European Economic Area (EEA) buyers from Russia, Ukraine and Switzerland, the ministry said in a statement.
"It cannot be ruled out that the real estate acquisitions in question could threaten national security and hinder the organisation of national defence or the surveillance and safeguarding of territorial integrity," the ministry said.
It did not provide any explanation why the potential buyers could pose a security risk.
The attempted acquisitions, made by private individuals and one company, were for properties located in the southeastern Finnish towns of Mikkeli, Imatra, Kouvola and Lieksa. —AFP
