Perussuomalaiset MP convicted for abusing MP sexually

A court in Helsinki on Monday convicted Member of Parliament Teuvo Hakkarainen of assault and sexual harassment in the parliament building.

Hakkarainen, a lawmaker of the opposition Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) was given 45 day fines that amounts to 3,000 euros and 1,400 euros of compensation to Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) lawmaker Veera Ruoho. The prosecution had demanded heavier punishment of 60 days in prison on probation.

Day fines is a Finnish system that adjusts the amount of fines to be paid to the actual income of the convicted person.

The incident took place last December in the canteen of the parliament while an evening session was ongoing in the next door plenary hall. Kokoomus MP Ruoho went to get a cup of coffee when Hakkarainen, of the Perussuomalaiset Party, hooked Ruoho's neck with his arm and enforced a kiss on her.

Hakkarainen did the action under the influence of alcohol. He later did not deny the action, but said that he was not guilty of a crime as he had not intended to harm Ruoho.

Ruoho is a police officer in her civilian profession. Another MP with police background, Kari Tolvanen, intervened to help Ruoho.

The court noted in its verdict that "enforced kissing against the will of a person" amounts to sexual harassment. The court also said Hakkarainen's action was so strong that he must have realized he caused pain to Ruoho.

Ruoho told national broadcaster Yle that she received a lot of praise for taking the matter to court, although she had first gravitated towards not pursuing the case.

She said on Monday that many people who have experienced comparable situations have told her they have "got justice now, even if they had themselves not been brave enough to seek justice".

She added that she also got "dirt mail" critical of her choice of taking the case to court.

Hakkaraianen was under fire following his action. His parliamentary group gave him a warning and Hakkarainen gave up the position as the vice chairman of the Perussuomalaiset Party. He was also admonished by the Speaker of Parliament.

Hakkarainen is second term Member of Parliament. His flamboyant behaviour and use of alcohol made news already during his first term in parliament, but Hakkarainen was nevertheless reelected in 2015.

In Finland an MP can be relieved of his duties, but only if a criminal sentence involves a prison term and only after the verdict is legally valid, either without appeals or having completed the appeals process.

The prosecution has not decided whether to appeal. As there is less than a year to go until next elections, observers say time would run out for any measure to expel Hakkarainen from parliament, even if the verdict would be altered.