MP´s nightclub shooting case goes to prosecution

Former lawmaker of the radical rightist Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) Timo Vornanen has been accused of multiple crimes for the shooting incident took place at a night club in Helsinki in April and police will forward the case to prosecutor this week for trial, said police on Wednesday.

The police brought various charges including endangerment, unlawful threat and a firearms offence against the lawmaker after the preliminary investigation into the incident.

The preliminary investigation was conducted in close cooperation with the prosecutor.

“During the preliminary investigation, the police interrogated witnesses who were in the restaurant and outside of the restaurant before and at the time of the shooting. Technical investigations were carried out on the suspect's weapon, and a technical investigation was also carried out at the restaurant,” said lead investigator Jukka Larkio.

The suspect also admitted to the police that he brought a gun to his office at Parliament on two occasions.

The incident took place at the Ihku night club at Antinkatu area in Helsinki on April 26.

According to the preliminary investigation, Vornanen, a 54-year man engaged into an altercation with an employee of the night club and at certain stage he came outside of the night club and fired gunshot into the ground with his small-caliber firearm.

Before the firing Vornanen also pointed the barrel of the gun at the people present on the spot and the people left the scene after the firing.

Earlier on May 13, Perussuomalaiset expelled Vornanen from the party.

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

Later he formed a new parliamentary group after his own name.

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

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 from Perussuomalaiset in 2023 and now on leave for the parliamentary term.