Finland’s State Prosecutor To Appeal After Christian MP Päivi Räsänen Wins Over Homosexuality Case
Legal Fight Continues As State Prosecutor Decides To Appeal Against Finish MP’s Victory.
After Finnish Christian MP Päivi Räsänen won her case at the law court, the State prosecutor has decided to appeal. This means the battle between them has yet not ended.
Päivi Räsänen was the former Finnish Minister of the Interior who expressed her Christian faith on Twitter. The tweet came from her in 2019. And since then she has refused to delete it — despite being forced to do so. Again, in the same year, she debated on the radio against same-sex marriage using the Bible as her source.
The charges leveled against her include a 2004 marriage pamphlet she published together with Bishop Pohjola. The said piece of the book is said to infringe on the right of homosexuals.
Päivi Räsänen with her strong Christian beliefs contributed to the publication of the pamphlet that highlights legitimate marriage according to the Bible. She has been fighting for her religious freedom with Bishop Juhana Pohjola.
Päivi Räsänen fearlessly defended her tweet about marriage and sexuality but it was deemed to be “hate speech.”
The Court Rules In Favor Of Päivi Räsänen
After several months of waiting —the court unanimously decided to dismiss all charges against Räsänen. The court stated that:
“it is not for the district court to interpret biblical concepts.”
On 30 March, the Helsinki District Court unanimously dismissed all charges against Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola. They have been cleared of hate speech for publicly sharing their Christian beliefs on marriage and sexuality.
According to the court, it stated that; “it is not for the district court to interpret biblical concepts.” It also ordered the prosecution to pay over 60,000 EUR in legal costs.
Räsänen said, she felt a load of weight lifted off her shoulders after she won the case at the law court.
“This case has been hanging over me and my family for almost three years. After my full exoneration in court, I am dismayed that the prosecutor will not let this campaign against me drop.
“Once again, I am prepared to defend freedom of speech and religion not just for me, but for everyone. I am grateful for all those who have stood by me during this ordeal and ask for their continued support.”
Why The State Prosecutor Is Appealing Against Räsänen’s Victory
It is obvious, that the state prosecutor in Finland is disappointed in the district court’s unanimous decision to dismiss the case.
The prosecutor believes by challenging the court’s verdict, there could be a better adjudication.
After 5 court’s ruling, ADF International, which has defended the pair, also said it was “alarming” that the case is set to continue.
“The state’s insistence on continuing this prosecution despite such a clear and unanimous ruling by the Helsinki District Court is alarming,” said ADF’s executive director, Paul Coleman.
“Dragging people through the courts for years, subjecting them to hour-long police interrogations, and wasting taxpayer money in order to police people’s deeply held beliefs has no place in a democratic society.
“As is so often the case in ‘hate speech’ trials, the process has become part of the punishment.”
Both Räsänen and ADF International are surprised to see the State prosecutor not letting this case be bygone. Despite the court’s overwhelming decision to throw off all the charges.
The state prosecutor has intended to appeal. However, Räsänen says she is still ready to defend religious freedom and free speech. This will help others to enjoy their religious freedom. It continues and everyone following this case is watching what will happen next.
