A Simple Tweet Draws Police Scrutiny (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Finland – A veteran parliamentarian has spent nearly seven years defending her right to express traditional Christian views on marriage and sexuality amid repeated criminal charges.
A Simple Tweet Draws Police Scrutiny
In June 2019, Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a member of Finland’s parliament since 1995 and former interior minister, questioned her church’s sponsorship of a Pride event.[1][2]
She shared the post on what was then Twitter, including verses from Romans 1:24-27, and directed it at church leaders without targeting individuals.[1]
Police soon launched an investigation. Authorities interrogated Räsänen for more than 13 hours, probing her interpretation of Scripture, the concepts of sin and shame, and the overall message of Romans chapter 1.[1]
Officers urged her to delete her writings within two weeks. She declined, standing by the Bible’s teachings.[1]
Multiple Charges and Court Battles
The Prosecutor General filed three counts of “agitation against a minority group” in April 2021, a provision under Finland’s war crimes and crimes against humanity section that carries up to two years in prison.[1][2]
Prosecutors cited the tweet alongside a 2004 pamphlet Räsänen wrote titled “Male and Female He Created Them,” which discussed biblical perspectives on sexuality, and remarks from a 2019 radio debate. Bishop Juhana Pohjola faced charges for publishing the pamphlet.[2]
The Helsinki District Court acquitted both in March 2022 after a trial where the prosecution dissected Christian doctrine, despite earlier assurances against biblical inquiry. The court ruled it had no role in interpreting Scripture and ordered the state to cover over 60,000 euros in costs.[1]
Prosecutors appealed. The Helsinki Court of Appeal upheld the acquittal unanimously in November 2023. Yet another appeal led to a Supreme Court hearing on October 30, 2025, where officials dropped the radio charge but demanded fines and censorship of the tweet and pamphlet. A decision remains pending.[2]
Warning to the World from Washington
Räsänen testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on February 4, 2026, during a hearing on Europe’s threats to speech.[1]
She described how the process itself punishes speakers through exhaustive scrutiny and uncertainty, fostering a chilling effect across society. Finnish officials have signaled that careful wording avoids police attention.[1]
Her defense, led by lawyers from ADF International, argued that vague hate speech laws erode freedoms protected by Finnish, European, and international standards. The case tests whether stating religious convictions constitutes a crime.[1]
Timeline of a Prolonged Prosecution
- June 2019: Räsänen posts tweet questioning church Pride involvement with Bible verses.[2]
- April 2021: Three charges filed against Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola.[2]
- March 2022: District Court acquits unanimously.[1]
- November 2023: Appeals Court upholds acquittal.[2]
- October 2025: Supreme Court hearing held; ruling pending.[2]
- February 2026: Testifies in U.S. Congress.[1]
Though acquitted twice, relentless appeals underscore deeper tensions. Hate speech prosecutions like this one drive religious discourse underground and question democracy’s foundations.
Key Takeaways
- Hate speech laws in Europe can ensnare peaceful religious expression, even Bible quotes.
- Process inflicts costs through investigations and trials, regardless of outcomes.
- EU measures like the Digital Services Act risk exporting censorship worldwide.
Räsänen’s saga reveals how fragile free speech remains in modern democracies. A Supreme Court victory could safeguard expression for all; defeat might embolden further restrictions. What do you think about the balance between hate speech laws and religious freedom? Tell us in the comments.
