Perussuomalaiset expels MP, MEP

The ruling Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) expelled lawmaker Timo Vornanen, who was arrested on April 26 for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident at a night club in Helsinki and later released, local media reported on Monday, quoting party sources.

The second largest component of the four-party alliance government, Perussuomalaiset also expelled its Member of European Parliament (MEP) Teuvo Hakkarainen who announced to participate in the upcoming European Parliamentary elections as an independent candidate after failure to get party ticket.

The expelled leaders told national broadcaster Yle that they received the expulsion decisions by email sent by the party on May 9.

Earlier on May 2, Timo Vornanen was expelled from the parliamentary group of the party.

The decision was taken following the alleged involvement of the lawmaker in the shooting incident outside of a night club in Helsinki.

The Perussuomalaiset MP elected from Joensuu, is suspected of three criminal charges for his involvement in the shooting incident.

He pointed gun at two people in front of Ihku night club at Antinkatu area and fired gunshot into the ground with his small-caliber firearm on April 26.

The MP was arrested on April 26 and released on April 27.

Vornanen discharged his duty as a senior police constable at the Eastern Finland Police Department for more than 20 years before being elected a lawmaker in 2023 and now on leave for the parliamentary term.