The preliminary investigation surrounding suspected human trafficking crimes at the Northern Finland-based berry picking firm Polarica has advanced, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Thursday.
The NBI said two suspects were being held in remand, and that their suspected human trafficking crimes were elevated to aggravated human trafficking.
The agency said another individual was arrested on suspicion of aggravated acceptance of a bribe and aggravated abuse of public office. According to Helsingin Sanomat, that suspect is Olli Sorainen, an advisor at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
Matti Hirvola, the ministry's communications director, confirmed to Yle that the NBI notified the ministry about Sorainen's detainment and surrounding investigation. He said the ministry also opened its own investigation into the matter.
Sorainen has previously spoken about the problem of foreign labour exploitation with the news media on a number of occasions, including Yle.
Hirvola said the ministry is not aware of other officials' activites being under investigation.
Earlier this month, a court ordered the detainment of the berry picking firm's CEO, Jukka Kristo, on suspicion of human trafficking.