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Former US President Bill Clinton spotted in downtown Helsinki

The former president was seen walking along the city's Esplanadi and Aleksanterinkatu thoroughfares.

Bill Clinton kuvattuna Kosovon matkallaan 12. kesäkuuta 2019.
File photo of Bill Clinton in Kosovo last month. Image: Valdrin Xhemaj / EPA
  • Yle News

Helsinki police have confirmed that fomer US President Bill Clinton was visiting the city on Thursday.

According to Yle journalist Minna Rinta-Tassi, Clinton was seen walking in the often tourist-filled Esplanadi area, accompanied by his security detail.

She said the former president blended well into the crowds, as he was dressed in summer attire.

"Clinton was like any summer tourist. He seemed to be in a good mood and people were asking him to pose for photos, which he agreed to. He was also accompanied by a few other people," Rinta-Tassi said.

Helsinki police said that Clinton's visit to the Finnish capital was in an unofficial capacity and visiting as a private citizen.

It was confirmed that Clinton was headed to the autonomous region of Åland in the Finnish archipelago, and will appear at a concert at Mariehamn's Miramar park on Thursday evening, according to Svenska Yle.

This story was updated at 4:13pm to add that Clinton's appearance at the concert has been confirmed.

Sources: Yle, Svenska Yle