Conspiracy theorists face charges for mapping military tunnels (original) (raw)

Twin brothers are accused of mapping locations critical to Finland's security, allegedly driven by a conspiracy theory about an international 'tunnel war.'

Marko Vapa, one of the defendants, at Helsinki Dictrict Court in January this year. Image: Tiina Jutila / Yle

• Yle News

Mikko Vapa has been arrested and taken into custody after months on the run in a case where he and his twin brother, Marko Vapa, are accused of mapping Finland's defence-related sites online, allegedly driven by a conspiracy theory.

Mikko Vapa had been missing from authorities for four months after failing to appear for a court hearing in January, when he was detained in absentia.

Helsinki District Court said on Monday that his charges will be heard as soon as possible, although no new hearing dates have yet been set.

In January, charges were read in court for his twin brother, Marko Vapa, who was present at the proceedings.

Tunnel conspiracy

The charges relate to suspicions that the brothers compiled a publicly accessible online map marking sites considered critical to Finland's defence and national security. These sites included facilities linked to the Defence Forces and the Finnish Border Guard.

The pair collected the information based on a belief that the sites are connected to a secret underground tunnel network, a conspiracy theory they have also promoted on their YouTube channel, Tunnelbusters.

The investigation has involved multiple authorities, including the police, the Finnish Border Guard, the Defence Forces, and the National Emergency Supply Agency.

The brothers deny the allegations and say they never intended to undermine national security. They also reject the idea that their actions amounted to any form of intelligence gathering, saying their mapping was a hobby.

Back in January, Marko Vapa told Yle he believes there is a global so-called 'tunnel war' waged by a 'deep state' and that Finland has long since surrendered.