Espoo is the western neighbor of Helsinki, the capital of Finland, with a population of nearly 320,000. Approximately 20 percent of its residents have immigrant backgrounds, and about a quarter of these are either from so-called major refugee countries, other parts of the Middle East, or are family members of such immigrants.
One of Espoo’s neighborhoods with the highest proportion of immigrant residents is the Suvela suburb, where nearly half of the population has foreign backgrounds. It is also one of the first areas in Finland where the native population has begun to move away.
According to recent information, the Helsinki police are investigating a suspected murder that occurred in a public place in Espoo during the early hours of Thursday. The victim of the shooting is a man under 20 years of age.
The case is suspected to be connected to the activities of street gangs and criminal networks, with a strong likelihood that it involves Swedish immigrant gangs who dominate the drug trade on the western side of the Baltic Sea and control many immigrant-dominated residential areas there.
Finnish police have been aware for some time of the attempts by Swedish gangs to expand their influence in Finland. As a result, they have been working to intercept them before they can establish a foothold.
It is therefore crucial that the recent murder is swiftly solved and the criminals are brought to justice. At the same time, their influence in the Suvela suburb must be dismantled.
Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Immigration Policy Should Be Based on Evidence
Nordic Police Announce: Spread of Gang Violence Cannot Be Stopped
Nordic Nations Unite Against the Growing Threat of Cross-Border Organized Crime
