Anti-nuclear activists have been camped at Hanhikivi, near the proposed Fennovoima nuclear plant, since April. On Tuesday they were evicted from the site and their camp destroyed as the company moved in to make space for construction.
"[Construction] work is getting closer to Hanhikiviniemi," said Fennovoima security chief Jouni Sipiläinen. "We have to ensure the area is secure for our workers and for the activists’ safety."
The Hyökyaalto group said on its website that 16 police patrols joined the raid, helping to clear the area for Fennovoima building. Sipiläinen said that the area was no longer safe for protesters due to the increased heavy goods traffic expected as construction ramps up.
According to activists the police sawed through wooden structures that protesters had clambered up, which Hyökyaalto claims endangered the activists involved.