Finland is investigating complaints that Helsinki police took part in a Black Lives Matter demonstration last month. Uniformed officers allegedly held demonstration signs and gave on-site interviews in support of a protest in Senate Square on June 3. Complaints criticised the police for their apparent impartiality and for allowing thousands of citizens to demonstrate, despite COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. On May 19, the regional government in Finland banned public gatherings of more than 500 people until June 30, due to safety and hygiene concerns. Parliamentary Ombudsman Petri Jääskeläinen said in a statement that 16 total complaints had been filed against the Helsinki Police Department. Three other anonymous reports of improper police conduct have also been made via an internal ethics channel.
The police killing of George Floyd in the United States on May 25 triggered numerous protests around the world against police violence and social injustice. Around 3,000 people gathered peacefully in Helsinki on June 3, chanting slogans such as “Black lives matter” and displaying “I can’t breathe” signs. A preliminary report has indicated that Helsinki police were informed two days previously that a demonstration would take place in Senate Square. A tweet from Helsinki Police on June 3 confirms that officers were in attendance to “monitor public order and security”. But police said that they were informed that the number of participants at the protest would be “within the allowable limit”. The authorities requested organisers to stop the demonstration “as soon as possible” due to government restrictions and the demonstration was called to end after around one hour. After this protestors continued to move through the city under police control until a “small number” gathered at the steps of Parliament.
Finland’s Parliamentary Ombudsman has asked for more information on how police had prepared for the Black Lives Matter protest on June 3 and why this demonstration was allowed to continue. Finland’s Interior Ministry has been asked to investigate the matter, and have until October 30 to file an opinion. Euronews has contacted Finland’s Interior Ministry and Helsinki Police Department for further comment on the investigation.
Source: Euronews
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