Soviet influence operations targeted Finnish leadership around 1980, scholar says

Political science scholar Alpo Rusi has outlined details regarding historical Soviet influence operations in Finland around the turn of the 1980s. Writing in a guest column for Iltalehti, Rusi examined political pressure tactics used by Soviet intelligence services during a sensitive transitional era in Finnish politics.

Central to Rusi’s commentary are threats directed at Keijo Liinamaa, a former national conciliator who briefly served as prime minister before his death in 1980. Liinamaa had disclosed receiving threats to a diplomat prior to his death. According to Rusi, these covert actions reflected Moscow's efforts to manipulate political succession and safeguard its strategic influence in Helsinki.

Sources: Iltalehti