Phenomenon of illegal entry in the area of Southeast Finland Border Guard District
A phenomenon of illegal entry has rapidly developed in the area of Southeast Finland Border Guard District during November. A total of 415 persons with inadequate travel documents have arrived in Southeast Finland Border Guard District and applied for asylum during November (by November 17).
Based on observations made and information obtained by the Finnish Border Guard and other authorities, there are clear indications that authorities of a foreign state or other operators have furthered the entry of those persons who illegally crossed the border into Finland.
On 16 November 2023, the Government decided to close the border crossing points in Southeast Finland and North Karelia and to concentrate the seeking of international protection on the eastern border. The decision is in effect to 18 February 2024, and is based on section 16 of the Border Guard Act. Based on this decision, the Southeast Finland Border Guard District has last night, on 18 November 2023 at 00.00, implemented the following actions:
On the land border between Finland and Russian Federation, the border crossing points in Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa and Imatra have been closed.
Seeking of international protection on the land border between Finland and Russian Federation has been concentrated to border crossing points in Vartius and Salla. Therefore, international protection cannot be sought in the closed border crossing points in Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa and Imatra.
The areas of the closed border crossing points in Southeast Finland Border Guard District have been fenced in and the traffic has ceased. Barriers that stop the traffic have been placed on the roads crossing the border. Staff of the Finnish Border Guard controls that no border crossings occur. Asylum seekers are informed by communication and instructed to proceed to a border crossing point, where seeking of international protection is still possible. Where necessary, illegal entry is prevented by requests, prohibitions, obstructions and necessary means on the border.
The Southeast Finland Border Guard District has closely cooperated with other authorities in investigating the illegal entry and in closing the border crossing points.
The Finnish Border Guard has a strong capability to control the border situation and the phenomenon of illegal entry.
Asylum seekers at the border crossing points monitored by the Southeast Finland Border Guard District in 2023
| January | 9 |
| February | 7 |
| March | 5 |
| April | 8 |
| May | 9 |
| June | 7 |
| July | 15 |
| August | 12 |
| September | 13 |
| October | 32 |
| November 17 | 415 |
Asylum seekers at the border crossing points monitored by the Southeast Finland Border Guard District in November 2023
| November 1 | 1 |
| November 2 | 0 |
| November 3 |
2 |
| November 4 | 6 |
| November 5 | 1 |
| November 6 | 4 |
| November 7 | 4 |
| November 8 | 0 |
| November 9 | 3 |
| November 10 | 7 |
| November 11 | 11 |
| November 12 | 5 |
| November 13 | 39 |
| November 14 | 55 |
| November 15 | 75 |
| November 16 | 26 |
| November 17 | 176 |
>For further information, please contact: Southeast Finland Border Guard District, Communications unit +358 295 422 060
