Helsinki’s courts are full of cases against some 850 activists arrested in protests demanding action to combat climate change, rising petrol prices and Covid restrictions.
Most of the activists were arrested during demonstrations in the Finnish branch of the Extinction Rebellion climate group in Elokapina and are accused of disobedience to the police.
All cases are expected to take so long that not all will be dealt with this year.
"It seems as if Elokapina people have been instructed to refuse lighter punishments, such as fines or written warnings," said the district attorney Juha-Mikko Hämäläinen. "We are forced to take them all to court, through the so-called longer route."
Activists of the rebellion deny that they have been directed to any particular activity, and they say they are only exercising their legal rights.
Until SawalaThe protester, whose case is due to be prosecuted, said no one is forcing anyone to prosecute activists.
"I find it strange that the prosecutor claims that people defending themselves are wrong." said Sawala. "Defending yourself against this is not undermining the court."
Prosecutors are also handling police pepper spray during one of Elokapina’s demonstrations. State prosecutors are still considering whether to prosecute the case.
The recent Convoy protests, which call for an end to coronary virus restrictions and a reduction in fuel taxes, are also bringing more cases to the legal system. Police have arrested about 70 people during the Convoy protests this month as protesters shut down traffic in downtown Helsinki.
Convoy protesters saw some arrests of the official’s violent opposition, while Elokapina activists used passive resistance in their protests.
Source: The Nordic Page