Yle: Police drop investigation into Finns Party MP’s remarks on immigration

By admin On Sep 17, 2025

Police will not launch a preliminary investigation into Teemu Keskisarja’s comments on Yle’s A-studio. Photo: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva

Helsinki Police have decided not to open an investigation into comments made by Teemu Keskisarja, an MP and deputy chair of the Finns Party, during a television appearance last month on Yle’s A-studio programme, according to Yle.

The remarks, described by the Equality Ombudsman as racist, included statements suggesting that immigrants were turning Finland “into a developing country, a pigsty and a bloodbath.” Keskisarja also referred to immigrants as “low quality” and called the “great replacement” conspiracy theory “a fact.”

Police received four formal complaints about the broadcast. Lead investigator Katariina Rinne said in a statement on Tuesday that there was no legal basis to suspect a crime. She explained that investigators had reviewed previous cases and considered the broader context before making the decision.

“The statements were made on a current affairs discussion programme on immigration, where representatives of different political parties were invited,” Rinne said.

She noted that the discussion took place in a political setting and that the participants held strongly divergent views. According to police, this context placed the speech within the framework of freedom of political expression.

The panel format and subject matter, along with Keskisarja’s role as an elected MP and party representative, were cited as relevant factors in the assessment. Police concluded that the threshold for criminality was not met.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman also received complaints about Keskisarja’s remarks but announced last week that the office does not have jurisdiction to act in this matter.

Earlier this month, Rainer Hiltunen, the Equality Ombudsman, characterised Keskisarja’s remarks as racist. Despite that, Riikka Purra, chair of the Finns Party, defended his comments.

The decision by police means no further legal action will be taken over the incident. The case adds to ongoing public and political debate over the limits of free speech and the tone of immigration discourse in Finland.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi