Finland Sets Up Containers for Interviews with Asylum Seekers on Russian Border

Following the adoption of the so-called 'expulsion law' by the Finnish parliament, containers are being set up on the border with Russia to interview asylum seekers.

This is reported by Yle.

It is noted that 2,000 Border Guard officers are being trained on how to act properly on the eastern border under the new law.

Currently, containers for interviews have been delivered to the border checkpoints.

"It is our responsibility to organise the necessary infrastructure. If a person enters Finland, say, in a remote area in Lapland, where the nearest checkpoint is 100 kilometres away, they can be taken to a certain place. The assessment can be made in an exceptional situation, for example, in a container or even in a patrol car," explained Marko Turunen, Deputy Head of the Border and Maritime Transport Department.

Under the law, border guards can prevent the entry of asylum seekers or expel them from the country.

The purpose of the expulsion law is to prevent managed migration.

On 11 July, the Finnish parliament approved the so-called "expulsion law", which allows for the rejection of migrants travelling from Russia. The law is temporary and will remain in force for a year. On 16 July, Finnish President Alexander Stubb signed the law into law.

To extend the law, a joint decision of the government and the president is required.