Simon Ekpa, the remanded leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is currently incarcerated at Kylmäkoski Prison, one of the most secure and challenging prisons globally, according to findings by Saturday PUNCH.
The high security prison is in Vanhamaantie, Akaa, Finland.
The Finnish government had announced the arrest of Ekpa alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
The Finnish police confirmed that Ekpa, who described himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, allegedly used social media to promote violence in the South-East region, targeting civilians and authorities.
According to local publication, Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
Saturday PUNCH reports that the Finnish government had frozen Ekpa’s assets, as well as those of companies associated with him and four of his accomplices, who are also in remand.
Yle, in a report, stated that Ekpa is being held in the Kylmäkoski vankila.
The Head of International Communications of Yle, Mika Ojamies, in response to enquiries from our correspondent, also confirmed that the suspect was in the prison.
Kylmäkoski vankila: Finland’s toughest prison
The Kylmäkoski vankila was built in 1993 for male prisoners.
The facility, which is known for accommodating people who have committed serious crimes, including violent suspects and s*x offenders, is the largest closed-unit facility in Finland.
The prison currently houses 113 prisoners, mostly convicts and remand inmates.
The Kylmäkoski vankila was featured in a 2023 Netflix documentary series, Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons.
A journalist, Raphael Rowe, entered the wards and interacted with some of the inmates, including the most dangerous criminals in Finland.
Among the inmates interviewed were Toni, Olli, Michael, Danny, and Jani, who had histories of violence and crime.
Two of the inmates, Toni and Olli, were notorious for their brutal actions, and did not show remorse for their crimes during the conversation with Rowe.
Another inmate, identified as Antti, told the reporter about the ‘lizard wing,’ a section created for dangerous inmates, particularly s*x offenders and informants.
