The police investigations into suspected illegal surveillance of telephone records at Sonera have now led to the telecommunications company's executive management team.

   

On Friday, the National Bureau of Investigation arrested Jari Jaakkola , the executive vice president in charge of corporate communications, and vice president Henri Harmia, who has had a central role in preparing the merger of Sonera and Telia.

   

Similar to the previous three arrests, the two men are suspected of aggravated violation of privacy in communications during an internal Sonera investigation that took place in autumn 2000 and spring 2001. Both Jaakkola, 41, and Harmia, 39, have been relieved of their duties for the time being.

Helsingin Sanomat

reported in October that Sonera has analysed telephone records in order to determine who leaked information to reporters. However, the National Bureau of Investigation now suspects even more widespread wrongdoing may have taken place.

   

The police aim to uncover who issued the order to analyse telephone records. Jaakkola held his current position already in autumn 2000, and Harmia was a confidant of former Sonera President and CEO Kaj-Erik Relander. Relander has so far declined to comment on the investigations.

   

During the course of the past weeks, Jaakkola has repeatedly denied in public that Sonera had any knowledge of the offences reported by HS.

Current Sonera President and CEO Harri Koponen

was downcast at the company's press conference on Friday. He issued an assurance that the company will not cover up for anyone, but will assist the police in unearthing the truth.

   

Koponen did not work for Sonera at the time of the alleged wrongdoing. Sonera Chairman Tapio Hintikka observed that the newest turns in the investigation have no effect on Koponen's position at the company. According to Hintikka, Koponen retains his full confidence. Also, Hintikka emphasised that the merger process with Telia will proceed as planned despite the incident.

   

Minister of Transport and Communications Kimmo Sasi, who was surprised by the arrests of the Sonera executives, commented on Friday that the state has advised Sonera management to be as open as possible and to find out the truth as soon as possible.

   

Jaakkola's counterpart at Telia, Michael Kongstad, noted on Friday that the arrests are unfortunate, but that they will not delay the telecoms merger.