Large numbers of Roma, or Gypsies from former socialist countries, are again seeking political asylum in Finland. Police suspect that some cases may involved organised human smuggling.

   

Officials are preparing for a wave of Roma asylum-seekers similar to the one a couple of years ago which led to the passage of a law allowing for the quick return of asylum-seekers whose applications appear groundless.

   

Nearly all of the new applicants are from Romania.

The most recent event was the arrival

of a group of 18 Romanian Roma, who had entered Finland on Tuesday on the Greek-owned Superfast ferry operating between the German port of Rostock and the Finnish port of Hanko. The group submitted their asylum applications in Tampere on Wednesday. Another group of 39 Roma asylum seekers, who arrived on the same ship, submitted their asylum applications immediately upon arrival.

   

The most recent surge in asylum applications by Roma began in April. In the past two months about 150 Roma from Romania have submitted asylum applications in Finland. Since 1993 the largest number of Romanian citizens to seek asylum in Finland in a single year has been 36.

   

The trend is not limited to Finland; about 200 Romanians have applied for asylum in Sweden, and similar cases have been reported in other Western countries in Europe.

About two years ago

about 200 Roma a month, mainly from Slovakia and Poland, arrived in Finland until a new law was passed to make it possible to quickly turn back arrivals from countries considered safe.

   

Police officials say that if the number of asylum applicants increases, a special group trained in asylum application processing will be activated.

   

Police suspect that the latest flood of applicants could involve organised illegal immigration arrangements. However, at least some of the arrivals have shown up in Finland on their own.

The Directorate of Immigration

says that at least the asylum applications of those who arrived before Tuesday appear to be without foundation.

   

The directorate plans to process these applications quickly - which means a processing time of a few weeks or months, instead of up to two years.