Two Finnish aid workers were killed today in Herat, Western Afghanistan

Press Release 169/2014
24 July 2014

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been in contact with the family and employer of the deceased, and has expressed condolences.

The Finns were working for a project of the International Assistance Mission. The organization carries out cooperation with Finnish NGOs in Afghanistan.

The Finns were employees of the Finnish Lutheran Mission. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has financed the organization’s development cooperation in Afghanistan in the past.

Investigation of the crime in Finland falls under the scope of the Central Bureau of Investigation, which the Ministry will give executive assistance in Afghanistan. The authorities of Afghanistan bear the main responsibility for investigation of the crime.

In all, 41 Finns have registered with the Embassy of Finland in Afghanistan. Five of them are aid workers and 36 are involved in EUPOL tasks. In addition, Finland has about 100 soldiers participating in the ISAF operation until the end of the year. They are mainly located in the Mazar-e-Sharif region in North Afghanistan.

Additional information: Ambassador Ari Mäki, Ambassador of Finland to Afghanistan, (contacts via the duty officer at the Communications Desk of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 551 6571)