Former head of Finland’s Security Intelligence Service, Antti Pelttari, has been charged with breach of official duties in the largest investigation in the agency’s history related to the activities of Supo, Helsingin Sanomat reports.

The investigation concerns the actions of Supo employees in 2020 during operations aimed at countering Russian intelligence activity.

Investigators are examining whether the service used former retired employees in a way that may have violated legislation on handling classified information.

According to the investigation, certain private individuals may have gained access to confidential data and worked with information that should have remained under the control of the intelligence service. Authorities also examined the circumstances surrounding the use of intelligence methods and the possible provision of incomplete or misleading information to the court.

In addition to Pelttari, former head of Supo counterintelligence Pertti Haaksluoto and another agency employee have also been charged. They are accused, among other things, of abuse of office.

Pelttari, who headed Supo from 2011 to 2023, rejects the charges and maintains his innocence. Haaksluoto also denies breaking the law.

The case has drawn significant attention in Finland, as it concerns the work of the country’s main domestic security agency and issues of oversight of intelligence activities.