A former United States government official has criticised Finland following the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-based activist and leader of the Biafran independence movement.

Writing on the American Enterprise Institute website, Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official, accused Finland of undermining its reputation as a global defender of human rights by detaining Ekpa based on what they described as “spurious charges” from the Nigerian government.

Ekpa, the self-proclaimed prime minister-in-exile of Biafra, was arrested last week over allegations of inciting violence in southeastern Nigeria through his activism.

Finnish authorities defended the move, citing their responsibility to address concerns of violence linked to individuals operating within their borders.

However, the former US official argued that Finland’s actions inadvertently supported Nigerian repression against the Igbo people and other marginalized groups advocating for self-determination.

“This is not just about Simon Ekpa. It’s about Finland allowing its judicial system to be weaponized by regimes with questionable human rights records,” Rubin stated.

Meanwhile, Ekpa’s supporters have vowed to continue their push for Biafran independence, urging international bodies to intervene and ensure his immediate release.