True Finns Politician Faces Defamation Charges
Controversial Helsinki politician Jussi Halla-aho went on trial on Tuesday, accused of incitement of hatred against an ethnic group and defamation of religion.
In March, Deputy Prosecutor General Jorma Kalske charged the city councilman over allegedly racist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim comments made on his blog in June 2008. Halla-aho, who was elected to the Helsinki City Council as an independent candidate on the ticket of the right-wing populist True Finns party, denies breaking any laws.
On Tuesday morning, Halla-aho appeared without a lawyer at Helsinki District Court, where he pled innocent to the charges.
Kalske is seeking a suspended prison sentence or fines.
Halla-aho had planned to run for European Parliament, but party chair Timo Soini successfully ran in his place after the charges were laid.
Halla-aho holds a doctoral degree in linguistics from the University of Helsinki.
Latest in: News
Finland’s coolest summer festivals
Summer is the most frenzied time in the Finnish cultural year, with fans and artists alike rushing to enjoy that brief intersection of warmth and relaxed free time. Here are a dozen of the season’s most unusual cultural events. Nearly all take place outdoors or in tents – so here’s hoping for a warm, dry-ish festival season.
Baby spuds herald arrival of summer
In a crucial sign of summer for Finns, the first field-grown potatoes of the year have been harvested in Rymättylä on Finland's south-west coast.
Cutting-edge Finnish fashion hits the catwalk
The newest names in Finnish fashion are taking centre stage on Friday evening at a gala event at Helsinki's old Suvilahti power plant.
Urpilainen returned as SDP chair
The Social Democrats gathered at a party convention in Helsinki to elect party leaders. Incumbent Jutta Urpilainen ran unopposed for the chairmanship.
EU unemployed seek Finnish jobs
Labour officials say there's been an almost daily flow of European jobseekers registering for employment opportunities in Finland -- some of them from Spain.
Finnish Olympic team sets sights on London
The full complement of about 55 athletes will fly the Finnish flag at the London 2012 Olympics. They will compete in a range of disciplines ranging from track and field and equestrian events to judo and sailing.
Finnair, cabin crew continue Flybe transfer talks
Finnair will resume talks next week with the Cabin Crew Union on the transfer of about 100 cabin crew from flag carrier Finnair to its partner Flybe.
Amnesty raps Finland over treatment of asylum-seekers
Amnesty International has criticized dozens of states for human rights abuses. In its latest annual report, the human rights group also rapped Finland for its accelerated asylum procedures, which include forced returns to Baghdad.
PM grilled over proposed Iceland operation
Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen again Thursday denied claims that a proposal for Finnish participation in joint Nordic patrolling of Iceland's airspace is intended to ease Finland into NATO.
Young Designer of the Year 2012 - Linda Bergroth and OK Do
Design Forum Finland's Young Designer of the Year Prize of 2012 has gone to designer Linda Bergroth and the arts/design collective OK Do.
Discuss this topic
0 comments
Thank you. Your message has been sent to Yle News. We publish comments between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Yle News reads all comments before publishing, and we reserve the right to edit long comments. Inappropriate comments will not be published.
Thank you. Your report has been sent to Yle News. We review the reports between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Yle News will review the comment you reported and will delete it if necessary.