Foreign Minister Haavisto: A total of more than 50 people have been removed from Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (Greens) says that a total of more than 50 people have been removed from Afghanistan so far. Some of them have already returned to Finland, others are still on the way.

In general, Finland is going to evacuate 240 people from Afghanistan. These are Finnish citizens and people who received a residence permit, as well as Afghans who collaborated with the Finns.

According to Haavisto, it is clear that people who received a residence permit in Finland went to Afghanistan. These may include people whose family members are still in Afghanistan.

The new leader of the True Finns Riikka Purra said on the Yle “Ykkösaamu” program that she believes Finland military resources should not be spent on the evacuation of people who have a residence permit in Finland and who themselves went to Afghanistan, contrary to the instructions of the authorities not to visit the country.

In the evening, a military transport plane with Finnish troops on board flew to Kabul. Their task is to help evacuate the Finns. There are also five Foreign Ministry employees working at the Kabul airport.