Influx of asylum seekers continues from Russia at lone operative border

The influx of asylum seekers from Russia continued at the Raja-Jooseppi border crossing point, the only point which remained open after closure of three more borders with Russia on Friday, Finnish Border Guard said.

A total of 61 asylum seekers arrived at the Raja-Jooseppi border crossing point in the last three till Sunday afternoon.

Out of the asylum seekers three arrived on Friday, 55 on Saturday and three on Sunday.

The asylum seekers mostly arrived by bicycles from Russia are citizens of Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Yemen, Morocco, India, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan and Syria, said the Border Guard.

Finland closed three more border crossing points- Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius- at the eastern border early November 24 against the backdrop of increasing number of asylum seekers from Russia.

​The government took the decision on November 22.

Earlier on November 18, Finland closed four border crossing points- at Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala at eastern border.

The government on November 16, decided to close part of Finland's eastern border with Russia.

The government on November 15 at a meeting decided that measures to ensure border security will be taken following the rapid increase in illegal entry at the eastern border.

Earlier on November 14, the Ministry of the Interior said, the government may decide to restrict cross-border traffic or to close border crossing points at eastern border with Russia against the backdrop of the influx of increasing number of asylum seekers.