The National meeting of the Finnish EJN Contact Points was organised partially onboard a ferry (Day 1) and partially at the City Public Prosecution Office, in Stockholm, Sweden (Day 2). The aim of dividing the meeting into two parts was to discuss topical criminal cases as widely as possible.
On the first day of the meeting, 22 September, in Helsinki, Finland, the EJN Contact Points were offered the opportunity to participate in the national meeting only on shore in Helsinki or to participate in the entire trip to Sweden and back to Finland.
On the first day, the following topics were discussed: report of the recent EJN meetings, the NAW and timelines, international implementation and transfer of imprisonment in Finland, extradition to or from third Countries and how the Contact Points can promote awareness of the EJN. During the meeting, the participants had the opportunity to listen to two presentations, one from a representative of the pre-trial investigation authority on the pre-trial investigation of sexual offences on board the ship, and the other from the captain on the operations of the shipping company when a crime is suspected on the ship.
On 23 September, the meeting took place at the City Public Prosecution Office in Stockholm.
Participants from the Finnish and the Swedish judicial authorities
The program included presentations on the prosecution organisations of both countries. During the meeting, the topics of the first day of the meeting were discussed from the perspective of both countries and rules for jurisdiction. During the meeting, the participants also discussed video hearings. Otherwise, the Contact Points explored how to promote awareness of the EJN.
Based on the topics discussed, it can be concluded that the role of a Contact Point is important and direct contacts between Contact Points are often necessary. If we are contacted by another ContactPpoint, we must respond swiftly. Last but not least, more questions should be asked on both sides, so ask boldly - the one who asks questions never strays. One of the key goals of the meeting was to strengthen the EJN identity of the Finnish Contact Points. Also this goal was achieved.
A picture is worth a thousand words – a big “thank you” to our Swedish colleagues for an excellent arrangement of the meeting with rewarding content.
The Finnish EJN Contact Points