Anti-terror, anti-fascism demos held in Helsinki

A predominantly right wing demonstration "against terrorism" and a parallel counter event "against fascism and fundamentalism" went without major incidents in Helsinki on Saturday.

The police detained two persons on account of opposing the police. From the start, the police separated the two sides wide apart that made only verbal exchanges possible.

Following the speeches outside the Kamppi shopping mall in central Helsinki, the "anti-terrorism" demonstrators walked in procession to the official residence of Prime Minister Juha Sipilä in Meilahti.

They lit handles at the gates of the residence in memory of the victims of the stabbings in Turku a week ago. The violence left two dead and eight others wounded.

In social media and also in statements by political leaders, opinions in Finland have been split as to what measures should be taken.

Plans to accelerate the legislation process for stricter security laws has yet received unanimous political support in the Nordic country.