After creating a big commotion in December about uncovering Finland’s first far-right terrorist cell, the Stakunta District Court ordered the release of four of the suspects on Wednesday, according to Yle News. One of the suspects was released last month.
Even if the police consider the arrest of the suspects as the “first” far-right cell, it all depends on how you define terrorism. Several arson attacks, even a sitting MP (Ano Turtiainen), were carried out even encouraged against asylum reception centers in 2015.
The four terrorist suspects were released on a technicality.
Reports Yle News: “A person arrested or remanded for an offense and released may not be rearrested for the same offense on the basis of a circumstance of which the authority was aware when deciding on arrest or remand.”
Apart from the fact that this group has a dubious reputation in Kankaanpää for harassing, intimidating, and violently attacking people over the years, the police objected to their release.
What does the release of the terrorist suspects reveal? It shows that Finland will treat white far-right terrorism from violence committed by other groups like Muslims. In other words, it is a further blow to the credibility of Finland’s institutions. What would have happened if the five original suspects were Muslims?
In light of the differences between how we treat white far-right terrorism and those committed by minorities, it is clear that we still lack resolve in addressing the problem.
