'I'm being cut off from my family': Finland's Russian community hits out against border closures
Helsinki's decision to close four of the country's nine border crossings with Russia to stem the flow of undocumented migrants and refugees into Finland is impacting residents with relatives in Russia. At a protest in the capital, people raised concerns about a new 'Iron Curtain'.
Transcript
00:00 These protesters say Finland's attempt to stem the flow of undocumented migrants from
00:05 the Middle East and Africa is separating families.
00:12 Authorities have closed four of the nine crossing points with Russia, making it harder for Finns
00:17 to reach their relatives across the border.
00:19 "I feel cut off from my family.
00:22 I'm very worried and they are also very afraid.
00:27 Everyone remembers, even I remember what the Iron Curtain is and it's a situation that
00:35 is very scary to return to."
00:37 Finland accuses Moscow of funnelling migrants to its crossings in response to Helsinki's
00:42 strengthening defence ties with Washington.
00:45 The Kremlin denies the allegation.
00:48 Finnish border guards say the closures in the south-east appear to be effective, reporting
00:53 176 asylum seekers on Friday and two on Saturday.
00:57 [Whoosh]