Finnish Lawmaker Päivi Räsänen Faces Court Over 2019 Tweet

Päivi Räsänen, a member of the Finnish Parliament, is confronting renewed legal challenges related to a tweet she posted six years ago. In 2019, Räsänen criticized the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland for its support of an LGBT Pride event, questioning how the church’s doctrine aligns with the celebration of pride in what she termed “shame and sin.” This tweet has since resulted in her being charged with “agitation against a minority group,” a legal classification that has sparked significant debate regarding freedom of expression.

Räsänen, who has served in the Finnish Parliament since 1995 and previously held the position of Finland’s interior minister, was charged in 2021 alongside Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola. The charges relate to a pamphlet published in 2004 by Pohjola that included Räsänen’s writings on the Christian view of marriage. Following unanimous acquittals in two lower courts, the Finnish Supreme Court is set to hear the case on October 30, 2025, marking a critical moment in the ongoing legal saga.

Paul Coleman, executive director of ADF International, expressed concern over Räsänen’s situation, stating, “It is shocking that after two unanimous acquittals, Päivi Räsänen is again being dragged to court to defend her fundamental right to freedom of speech.” Coleman criticized the application of vaguely defined “hate speech” laws, indicating that they could lead to ideological prosecutions.

Räsänen has firmly rejected the allegations against her, arguing that tweeting a Bible verse should not be considered a crime. “It isn’t a crime to tweet a Bible verse, or to engage in public discourse from a Christian perspective,” she asserted in a statement. She emphasized the emotional toll that the ongoing legal battle has taken on her life but remains hopeful for a positive outcome that could establish a precedent for free speech rights in Finland.

The implications of this case extend beyond Finland, as several European nations have faced scrutiny for their handling of Christian doctrine under hate speech laws. In the UK, incidents involving Christian activists outside abortion clinics have attracted widespread attention, leading to arrests and prosecutions that raise questions about the state of free speech across Europe.

J.D. Vance, Vice President of the United States, has publicly supported those facing prosecution for their beliefs, cautioning that “free speech, I fear, is in retreat” across the continent. As the world watches Räsänen’s case unfold, it could shape the future of religious expression and free speech in Europe.