A Finnish MP defending Biblical standards on sex and morality has pledged to continue her fight for free speech following a decision by the country’s top prosecutor to appeal against her acquittal.
Dr Päivi Räsänen’s vow follows the Finnish Prosecutor General Raija Toiviainen’s decision to appeal against the unanimous ‘not guilty’ verdict of the District Court by going to the Court of Appeal.
Räsänen and Lutheran bishop Juhana Pohjola were originally charged with insulting homosexuals, but the District Court ruled that their statements were within the law, determining that they never wished to offend but spoke out of concern about Christian ethics. However, Toiviainen has said she interprets the rulings on Räsänen and Pohjola differently than the court, hence the state’s appeal.
