Finnish forest industry group Metsäliitto has strongly denied allegations that it aided Russian timber companies in customs violations and smuggling.
Russian forest industry executives are accused of violating customs laws by declaring a smaller amount of timber than appears on export documents. Metsäliitto is alleged to have paid two bills – one for the declared amount of timber and the other direct to the executives.
Authorities in Russia have asked Metsäliitto for information relating to timber it imported from the country between 1999-2002. The company buys about 3.5 million m3 of Russian timber annually.
