True Finns Councillor Fined for Defaming Religion

by YLE
YLE News
September 8, 2009

https://www.legal-project.org/453/true-finns-councillor-fined-for-defaming-religion

Excerpt:

Prosecutor Simo Kolehmainen said Halla-aho had publicly defamed the Islamic faith in his blog writings. Halla-aho has also written derogatory statements about Somali immigrants on his internet site.

The prosecutor said Halla-aho's writings insulted Muslims residing in Finland and endangered religious peace.

Halla-aho admitted to writing the comments, but denied that they were intended to defame. He said the comments had been taken out of context, adding that he was not guilty of any criminal offence.

Soini: Halla-aho Verdict Affects True Finns Party

Timo Soini, chair of the small opposition True Finns party, says that Tuesday's verdict will have an impact on the reputation of the party. Halla-aho was elected to the Helsinki City Council as an independent candidate on the True Finns ticket.

"It has certainly labelled Jussi Halla-aho as a person, and the True Finns indirectly, but it was Halla-aho who was on trial, and not the True Finns party," said Soini.

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