Finland revokes protection status of 14 people on national security grounds

Finland has revoked the international protection status of 14 people on national security grounds since the beginning of 2025, according to Finnish commercial broadcaster MTV Uutiset.

Citing an interview with an official from the Finnish Immigration Service, also known as Migri, MTV reported that the individuals who lost their protection status were citizens of Iraq or Russia, Yle reports.

Of the 14 cases, nine individuals had been granted refugee status, while five had subsidiary protection status.

The authority to revoke international protection on national security grounds became possible following legal reforms that entered into force in January 2025. A page on Migri’s website outlines the conditions under which such protection can be withdrawn.

“After these legal changes, we made a decision to terminate the protection status of a total of 14 people due to [their] endangering national security,” said Migri's control and monitoring unit chief Tirsa Forssell, according to MTV.

“The law amendment aims to send a clear message that such a person, who endangers our national security, is not welcome in this country,” she said.

According to MTV, Migri is also reviewing 15 additional cases. The pending cases involve citizens of three other countries, in addition to Iraq and Russia.

By Sabina Mammadli