Press freedom in Finland comes under question

Security people dragged a journalist out from the joint press briefing of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump in Helsinki on Monday raised questions about the state of press freedom in Finland, reported national broadcaster Yle quoting local media.

Security men removed Sam Husseini, a contributor to a political magazine in USA, from the venue. He wrote “NUCLEAR WEAPON BAN TREATY” on a white paper to draw the attention of the two leaders.

Husseini said he came to Helsinki to ask the presidents questions about the threat of nuclear weapons and to distribute an open letter about the need for secure elections and true national security, said the Yle report.

According to him, asking hard questions to the presidents is difficult as officials do not allow it.

He expected the security people would understand that the sign did not constitute a protest or ask him to turn over the sign. He would have abided by that decision, Husseini said, but instead, security officers “lunged for the sign, knocking my glasses to the floor and dragging me out of the hall,” the Yle report quoted the journalist as saying.

The law enforcers took him to a small room and told that Finnish law allowed the police to detain him for 24 hours without any charge.

Husseini was denied access to his phone or other possessions and had to relinquish his press badge which he later got back.

On his way to a detention facility, Husseini said he hollered to onlookers. “This is freedom of press in Finland!” As a result, officers tackled him to the ground and cuffed him, the Yle added.

Husseini was asked more questions at the detention facility and released at midnight. No charges were pressed against him.