The NBI has been looking into indications of terrorism activities for the past year. The investigation has proved to be time consuming, especially because of the international nature of terrorist movements.

"We had people last week in London carrying out interrogations. We are gathering information internationally," the head of the NBI investigation, Kaj Björkqvist, told Yle.

"In August, we will start compiling the results of the preliminary investigation. We are hoping that the package can be delivered to the prosecutor this autumn."

Around 10 suspects

Björkqvist declined to specify the exact number of suspects.

"Our last public information release mentioned eight suspects. The situation is changing constantly. There are suspects both in Finland and in other countries and the precise number will be clear within a few weeks. There are about ten," said Björkqvist.

Financing, recruitment, human trafficking?

Investigations are related to the activities of the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization which operates in Somalia and abroad.

Police suspect that funds have been transferred from Finland to finance terrorism. Suspicions focus on a sum only a few thousand euros, but police point out that is a big money in Somalia.

The key figure, according to the NBI, is a man resident in Finland who is under suspicion for three different types of crimes. He is thought to have provided financing for terrorism, recruited others to take part in terrorist activities, and the preparation of criminal activities with a view to terrorist activities.

"This preparation includes suspicions of human trafficking. Our understanding is that the intention of the main suspect was to take young people living in Finland to a training camp abroad. This would have been carried out in a purely human trafficking fashion," explained Kaj Björkqvist.