British soldier accused of belonging to banned National Action

A British Army soldier who became a member of a banned neo-Nazi group intended to stockpile a large number of weapons in preparation for a race war, a court heard today.

Lance Corporal Mikko Vehvilainen, 33, is accused of belonging to National Action and being ‘personally committed to the use of violence in pursuit of the organisation’s aims’.

Birmingham Crown Court heard when he was arrested police discovered a ‘crudely made’ electromagnetic pulse (EMP) device at his home.

He even created a draft of an ‘Extinction’ magazine in which he discussed ‘genocide being forced upon the whites’ and the need to create ‘all-white strongholds’.

In the document, he also urged members of the outlawed group to be ‘prepared to fight and die for your race in a possible last stand for our survival’.

Vehvilainen is charged with being a member of National Action alongside fellow squaddie Private Mark Barrett, 25, and a civilian, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

It is claimed they were all members of the group even after it became the first right-wing group banned by the Government following the murder of MP Jo Cox.

The unnamed defendant was described as a ‘regional leader of National Action before the ban’ and ‘continued to hold a leadership position post-proscription.’

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC said: ‘It is clear that Vehvilainen’s participation in the group pre-dated proscription and continued after.

‘Vehvilainen was, the prosecution suggests, also personally committed to the use of violence in the pursuit of the organisation’s aims.

‘His messages refer, more than once, to the need to take positive and physical action in pursuit of the aims of the organisation.

‘He was critical of those who, in his opinion, were not sufficiently active in that regard, and he referred frequently to the ‘war’ to make changes.

Birmingham Crown Court (pictured) heard when Vehvilainen was arrested police discovered a ‘crudely made’ electromagnetic pulse device at his home

‘He researched instructions for a ‘homemade’ EMP device. At the time he was arrested, a crudely made device which resembled a homemade EMP device was found at his home.

‘He made diary entries from early 2016 making reference to weapons and items that needed to be achieved and jobs that needed to be done, including reference to ‘EMPs, bow and arrows, and unarmed combat’.’

A 2017 diary was also recovered from the property, which included a section titled ‘Key points for leadership meeting’, in which he described ‘survivalist training, later stages terrorism, civil disorder, destruction of infrastructure and power grid’.

Police also found a drafted document headed ‘Extinction’, which ‘from its content, was intended to be the first edition of a magazine in which he referred to ‘genocide being forced upon the whites’.’

It also discussed the need to ‘create all-white strongholds’, ‘join the help pro-white organisations either at home of abroad’ and prevent Muslims from marrying western women.

There were also provisional chapters reading ‘weapon of the month’ and ‘survivalist technique of the month’ as well as a list of ‘army kit’.

Mr Atkinson added: ‘These were items which he had bought and items which were still to be purchased.

‘The lists, and indeed the substantial quantity of weaponry recovered from his address, revealed and speak to his intention to stockpile weapons and other equipment in preparation for the ‘race war’ that he spoke of so often.’

Vehvilainen and Barrett, of Oakham, Rutland, who were both serving members of the Royal Anglian Regiment, and the third defendant deny being members of a proscribed organisation.

In addition, fitness instructor Vehvilainen, of Brecon, Powys, but originally from Finland – denies two counts of stirring up racial hatred and possessing terrorist information.

The unnamed defendant is also charged with three counts of having a document likely to be of use to terrorists, and another of distributing a publication contrary to terror laws.

The trial continues.