[tor-relays] Interrogated by Finnish police for alleged idendity crimes, fraud and attempts of fraud

[Diarmaid McManus]

Very sorry to hear of this.

Do you run a Tor relay?
If so, is it based in Finland?


On 31 October 2016 at 13:25, Juuso Lapinlampi <wub at partyvan.eu> wrote:

> Putting the word out: I was interrogated by the Finnish police today for
> multiple alleged counts (15+) of identity crimes, fraud and attempts of
> fraud. The invitation letter to be interrogated was sent out on
> 2016-10-21 and received by me on 2016-10-25. Today is 2016-10-31.
>
> The police suspects me because of an "IP-address assigned to my name",
> which I can't confirm or deny to have a relation to me. As a suspect, I
> was not told what this aclaimed IP-address was on a specific date to my
> knowledge. It is only speculation if these allegations wrongly against
> me have something to do with my relation with the Tor community or
> activism about digital rights online.
>
> Pending ongoing investigation, I am not allowed by law to share more
> specific details about to the investigation. I'd be glad to reveal more
> details about the case once the investigation is over and share/hear how
> I became a suspect, once I know about it. (Note that my story is at
> least slightly opinionated.)
>
> I had a witness with me and I feel like my rights were being violated
> during the interrogation. The officer (not to be named publicly in
> respect for privacy) didn't want to allow me to write down their badge
> number by taking the badge away from me while trying to write down the
> numbers. The officer looked slightly anxious.
>
> After refusing to comment on few questions (to which I have a legal
> right as a suspect), soon after me and my belongings with me were
> searched for aclaimed "security reasons" and "making sure I'm not
> recording this interrogation (with a phone)". I'll let you decide on the
> implications on unwarranted searches and individual legal protection.
> (See supreme court decision KKO:1990:36.)
>
> I audibly and multiple times in calm manner protested to not consent to
> searches, but alas it happened against my will without being suspected
> of wrongdoing at the police station in front of my witness. I didn't
> physically resist but also didn't voluntarily help the officer.
>
> The officer asked me inappropriate questions which were not related to
> the investigation. I was asked about my previous involvement with the
> police, how much I knew about the law and unsolicited advice about how
> "it will be easier for me if I talked". I demanded the officer to write
> down every question since the beginning of interrogation to the
> interrogation minutes, including the inappropriate ones, but the officer
> refused, trying to make up a fake reason how they were "irrelevant".
>
> The officer raised their voice once or twice during the 45 minutes of
> interrogation, apparently angry that I would not "make a confession" or
> "help out and tell more" to prove innocence. Confronting the officer
> again with a simple question "am I a suspect or a witness" to confirm my
> position, I was confirmed again that I was a suspect in the case. Subtly
> reminding that "I have my rights" that should be respected, the officer
> replied among the lines of "I have my rights too" with disrespect.
>
> After the interrogation minutes did not rightfully represent what was
> actually questioned, the only sensible thing to me was to not sign the
> minutes. The officer after the officer made threatening claims about how
> I "would be going to court" over this, but didn't spend too much effort
> on trying to get my signature.
>
> Once the interrogation was concluded, the officer made an unsolicited
> comment of "gladly not seeing people like [me] often". I told that I
> would be in contact with my lawyers.
>
> I am glad that I was not detained in a cell or arrested, which in my
> opinion I can likely attribute to having a witness with me. Looking back
> at what just happened at the police station, I should have demanded a
> lawyer immediately to the interrogation after having my rights violated,
> but I'm relying on my witness for now to make a testimony if necessary.
>
> I repeat that I absolutely deny being guilty of any suspected crimes. Be
> safe out there, tor-relays@ and all. (I have legal support behind me and
> have never been particularly worried about the investigation or outcome
> of this case.)
>
> Proof of invitation letter:
> https://wubthecaptain.eu/files/legal/2016-10-21-
> alleged-fraud-identity-crime.jpg
> _______________________________________________
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> https://lists.torproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/tor-relays
>
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