Dr. Päivi Räsänen at the Supreme Court
Dr. Päivi Räsänen, Member of Parliament, at the Supreme Court on Thursday, 30 October 2025
Press release
Helsinki, 30 October 2025
The Supreme Court held an oral hearing today, Thursday, in the long-running trial of Päivi Räsänen, Member of Parliament. The eight-term MP was charged with incitement against a group of people.
“The concepts of sin and shame from the Epistle to the Romans were raised again during the hearing. The prosecutor considered the use of these concepts to be offensive to human dignity,” Räsänen said.
State Prosecutor Mikko Männikkö and Special Prosecutor Krista Mannerkoski demanded 100 days of fines and the removal of both a tweet written by Räsänen in 2019 and the pamphlet “Male and female He created them” published by the Luther Foundation Finland in 2004. In the tweet, Räsänen criticised the participation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF, national Church) in a Pride parade. The pamphlet was published by the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF), whose bishop, Juhana Pohjola, was also summoned to appear before the Supreme Court.
In 2022, the Helsinki District Court dismissed all charges against Räsänen. In November 2023, the Helsinki Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed all charges against Räsänen, stating that the content of the texts was not unlawful and that the purpose of the writings was not to defame or slander homosexual people.
The Supreme Court’s decision is of great significance for freedom of speech and religion in Finland.
“The upcoming Supreme Court decision will set a precedent for Christians’ right to adhere to the teachings of the Bible in the future,” Räsänen continued.
Päivi Räsänen has served as a Member of Parliament since 1995, as chair of the Christian Democrats (2004–2015) and as Minister of the Interior (2011–2015).
The case has attracted widespread national and international attention. The trial was followed by a large number of domestic and international media outlets. In the morning, more than a hundred people gathered at the well-known Havis Amanda statue, near the Supreme Court, to express their support for Räsänen.
“Before God, we are all on the same level. The Bible is reliable in what it teaches about sin and human salvation for eternal life,” Räsänen concluded.
For further information and interview requests:
Ossi Lehtihuhta
Parliamentary Assistant
+358 50 563 3547
ossi.lehtihuhta@eduskunta.fi