{"id":5113,"date":"2022-03-30T10:31:41","date_gmt":"2022-03-30T10:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/?p=5113"},"modified":"2024-02-16T10:24:56","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T09:24:56","slug":"free-speech-victory-finnish-mp-wins-trial-over-bible-tweet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/news\/free-speech-victory-finnish-mp-wins-trial-over-bible-tweet","title":{"rendered":"Finnish MP wins on all charges in major free speech trial"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5113\" class=\"elementor elementor-5113\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-01f3c94 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"01f3c94\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d1cab19\" data-id=\"d1cab19\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7dc0b37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7dc0b37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><p><b>All charges against Finnish Parliamentarian P\u00e4ivi R\u00e4s\u00e4nen and Bishop Pohjola are unanimously dismissed following high-profile free speech trial<\/b><\/p><\/li><li><p><b>The former Finnish Minister of the Interior, faced three criminal charges for sharing her faith-based beliefs, including on Twitter<\/b><\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab3a5b1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ab3a5b1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">HELSINKI <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(30 March 2022)<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 A Finnish court has upheld the right to free speech by dismissing all charges against Finnish MP P\u00e4ivi R\u00e4s\u00e4nen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola. In a unanimous ruling the court concluded that <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cit is not for the district court to interpret biblical concepts\u201d. The prosecution was ordered to pay more than 60,000 EUR in legal costs and has seven days to appeal the ruling.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The former Minister of the Interior had been charged with \u201chate speech\u201d for sharing her faith-based views on marriage and sexual ethics, in a 2019 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PaiviRasanen\/status\/1140693636176384011\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">tweet<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a 2019 radio debate, and a 2004 pamphlet. The bishop faced charges for publishing R\u00e4s\u00e4nen\u2019s pamphlet for his congregation over 17 years ago. Their case has garnered global media attention this year, as human rights experts voiced concern over the threat this case posed to free speech in Finland.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI am so grateful the court recognized the threat to free speech and ruled in our favour. I feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders after being acquitted. Although I am grateful for having had this chance to stand up for freedom of speech, I hope that this ruling will help prevent others from having to go through the same ordeal,\u201d said P\u00e4ivi R\u00e4s\u00e4nen after her victory.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><b>Christian teachings on trial<\/b><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The high-profile trial received significant attention, particularly after the prosecution attacked core Christian teachings and cross-examined the bishop and R\u00e4s\u00e4nen on their theology in court. The prosecutor began the first day of the trial by arguing that the case was not about beliefs or the Bible.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">She then proceeded to quote Old Testament Bible verses and criticize the phrase \u201clove the sinner, hate the sin\u201d. In their closing statement, the prosecution alleged that the use of the word \u00ab\u00a0sin\u00a0\u00bb can be \u00ab\u00a0harmful\u00a0\u00bb and called for heavy fines in the event of a guilty verdict.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><b>Free speech prevails<\/b><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">R\u00e4s\u00e4nen\u2019s defence, supported by the legal advocacy organization <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/paivi\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">ADF International<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">, argued that finding R\u00e4s\u00e4nen guilty would significantly damage free speech in Finland. What R\u00e4s\u00e4nen said, they argued, was an expression of Christian teaching.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Court recognized that while some may object to R\u00e4s\u00e4nen\u2019s statements, \u201cthere must be an overriding social reason for interfering with and restricting freedom of expression.\u201d The Court concluded there was no such justification.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cWe welcome the Helsinki District Court\u2019s ruling. This is an important decision, which upholds the fundamental right to freedom of speech in Finland. In a free society, everyone should be allowed to share their beliefs without fear of censorship. This is the foundation of every free and democratic society. Criminalizing speech through so-called \u2018hate-speech\u2019 laws shuts down important public debates and poses a grave threat to our democracies,\u201d continued Coleman, author of \u2018<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/censored\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Censored: How European Hate Speech Laws are Threatening Freedom of Speech<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><b>Press conference at 16:00 CEST<\/b><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">ADF International will host a press conference on 30th March at 16:00 CEST. Dr. P\u00e4ivi R\u00e4s\u00e4nen MP, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bishop Juhana Pohjola<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, and Paul Coleman, Executive Director of ADF International will be available for questions after their statements. Please register here to access the Zoom link: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/paivi-press-conference-invitation\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/paivi-press-conference-invitation\/<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><b>International support for free speech<\/b><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">On both days of the trial (24 January and 14 February) crowds gathered outside the Helsinki courthouse to express their support for the politician and the bishop. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hungarytoday.hu\/demonstrate-in-support-of-finnish-christian-politician-accused-of-hate-crime-against-homosexuals\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">In Hungary, over 3000 people gathered<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> in front of the Finnish Embassy in Budapest to demonstrate against the charges before the closing arguments were heard.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">R\u00e4s\u00e4nen has also received letters of support from many denominations including the International Lutheran Council with Bishops and presidents of Synods from all over the world, the European Evangelical Alliance, Catholic and Pentecostal churches in Lithuania, representatives of the Evangelical, Catholic, Baptist, Pentacostal, Reformed and Unitarian churches in Romania, as well as the Evangelical Church of Macedonia, Christian NGOs in Latvia and other individuals.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Several US Senators penned <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rubio.senate.gov\/public\/_cache\/files\/e4c3c5df-3aaf-4767-857a-74de2b8f9d5b\/C8AA68A336A5B4A8B246832018F9B026.01.24.22-smr-letter-to-irf-ambassador-re-religious-freedom-in-finland.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">a letter addressed to Rashad Hussain<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">, US Ambassador-At-Large for International Religious Freedom, expressing their concern over the \u201calarming\u201d prosecution of R\u00e4s\u00e4nen: \u201cWe are greatly concerned that the use of Finnish hate speech law is tantamount to a secular blasphemy law. It could open the door for prosecution of other devout Christians, Muslims, Jews and adherents of other faiths for publicly stating their religious beliefs,\u201d read the letter.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In January, UK MPs filed an Early Day Motion in parliament, highlighting the controversial prosecution and raising concerns about \u201cthe potential implications of that case for other countries\u201d.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><b>Trial for a Tweet\u00a0<\/b><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Police investigations against R\u00e4s\u00e4nen started in June 2019. As an active member of the Finnish Lutheran church, she had addressed the leadership of her church on Twitter and questioned its official sponsorship of the LGBT event &lsquo;Pride 2019&rsquo;, accompanied by an image of Bible verses from the New Testament book of Romans. Following this tweet, further investigations against R\u00e4s\u00e4nen were launched, going back to a church pamphlet R\u00e4s\u00e4nen wrote almost 20 years ago.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In the last two years, R\u00e4s\u00e4nen attended several lengthy police interrogations about her Christian beliefs \u2013 including being frequently asked by the police to explain her understanding of the Bible.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In April 2021, Finland\u2019s Prosecutor General had brought three criminal charges against R\u00e4s\u00e4nen. Two of the three charges R\u00e4s\u00e4nen faced had come after the police made strong recommendations not to continue the prosecution. R\u00e4s\u00e4nen\u2019s statements also did not violate the policies of Twitter or the national broadcaster, which is why they remained freely available on their platforms. The Helsinki District Court has now acquitted R\u00e4s\u00e4nen of all charges.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">R\u00e4s\u00e4nen has served as a Finnish Member of Parliament since 1995. From 2004-2015 she was chair of the Christian Democrats and from 2011-2015 she was the Minister of the Interior. During this time, she held responsibility for church affairs in Finland.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1c4475 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"a1c4475\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0702bff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0702bff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tImages for free use in print or online in relation to this story only\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61696c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"61696c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;aspect_ratio&quot;:&quot;1:1&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;grid&quot;,&quot;columns&quot;:4,&quot;columns_tablet&quot;:2,&quot;columns_mobile&quot;:1,&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;overlay_background&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Paivi-reporters-2.jpeg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"61696c5\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Paivi Reporters\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MzE0NiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL2FkZmludGVybmF0aW9uYWwub3JnXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIyXC8wMVwvUGFpdmktcmVwb3J0ZXJzLTIuanBlZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6IjYxNjk2YzUifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Paivi-reporters-2-1024x768.jpeg\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"768\" aria-label=\"P\u00e4ivi R\u00e4s\u00e4nen at court. She will face trial at the Finnish Supreme Court.\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Paivi-with-Paul-1.jpeg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"61696c5\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Paivi With Paul\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MzE0NCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL2FkZmludGVybmF0aW9uYWwub3JnXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIyXC8wMVwvUGFpdmktd2l0aC1QYXVsLTEuanBlZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6IjYxNjk2YzUifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Paivi-with-Paul-1-1024x768.jpeg\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"768\" 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Bishop Juhana Pohjola\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ADF-Finland-Web-13.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"61696c5\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"P\u00e4ivi R\u00e4s\u00e4nen and Paul Coleman 2\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjU2MywidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL2FkZmludGVybmF0aW9uYWwub3JnXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIxXC8xMlwvQURGLUZpbmxhbmQtV2ViLTEzLmpwZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6IjYxNjk2YzUifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ADF-Finland-Web-13-1024x718.jpg\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"718\" 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