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HS: Police open new probe into MP Rydman's behaviour

The NBI did not name the target of its preliminary investigation of a suspected sex-related crime, but did say it concerned an MP who resigned from a parliamentary group in June. 

Wille Rydman
Wille Rydman has denied the allegations directed at him. Image: YLE/Joakim Lax
  • Yle News

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has opened a preliminary investigation into MP Wille Rydman's (NCP) activities, newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reported on Friday.

According to the newspaper, authorities suspect Rydman of a sex-related crime, but police did not specify who the focus of the probe was in its announcement about the probe.

The NBI did not specifically name any individual in its announcement, but noted that the current investigation concerned a Member of Parliament who resigned from a parliamentary group in June.

Rydman resigned from the National Coalition Party's parliamentary group on 21 June, but has denied the allegations directed at him.

In its announcement on Friday about the investigation, the NBI referred to an earlier preliminary investigation it conducted in 2020. The law enforcement agency did conduct a preliminary probe into Rydman's behaviour at that time, but then closed the investigation after a few days.

"The [new] preliminary investigation was started because police received new information and the police have interviewed people who were not heard from during the preliminary investigation which was carried out in 2020. Based on the new information, there is reason to suspect the individual of a crime," an NBI statement issued late on Friday afternoon read.

The NBI said it would explain more details as the investigation proceeds.