Thoughtcrime

Päivi Räsänen and Juhana Pohjola were convicted by the Supreme Court of incitement against a group of people. The district court and the court of appeal had previously acquitted Räsänen and Pohjola of all charges, but the Supreme Court, by a vote of 3–2, found them guilty of the offense.

The nearly seven-year legal process has included numerous charges, allegedly false claims by the Prosecutor General, and along the way some of the charges were dropped. Ultimately, the Supreme Court found grounds for conviction in a medical section of a pamphlet on the origins of homosexuality written 22 years ago.

In this program, Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola comment immediately on the court’s decision and discuss what it means for freedom of speech, academic freedom, and above all, freedom of religion.

Miisa Latikka conducts the interview. Produced by Matti Reinikka. English subtitles.