Finland closes the last checkpoint with Russia.
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Previously, only one point was open, the northernmost one. Now it will be closed until December 13, only freight transportation is allowed there, the government said.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced that the checkpoints will stop operating from 00.00 Thursday until December 13 – that is, they will be closed for at least two weeks.
Finland took this step in response to growing migration pressure and the involvement of Russian border guards, who helped migrants cross the border illegally. They let people through without the necessary documents.
The Finnish authorities believe that their actions are being coordinated by Russia.
According to the Finnish Border Guard, about 900 asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen arrived in Finland from Russia in November. Some of them had Belarusian visas.
Until recently, only the most inaccessible one, Raja Joosepi, remained open, where asylum seekers can apply for international protection, but this point is open only four hours a day.
The Finnish government planned to suspend the reception of asylum seekers last week, but the decision was not tested for compliance with the country’s constitution and EU regulations.
Source: Racurs
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