Prosecutor General wants to charge Perussuomalaiset MP for hatred remarks

Prosecutor General Raija Toiviainen expressed willingness to bring charges against a Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) lawmaker Juha Mäenpää for inciting hatred remarks against an ethnic group, reported national broadcaster Yle.

Mäenpää in a remark in parliament last summer likened asylum seekers to an invasive species.

Mäenpää, however, claimed that he was not guilty as the statement was part of a spontaneous debate, not criminal speech, said the report, quoting news agency STT.

The police after preliminary investigation into the matter found grounds for framing charge against the lawmaker but approval from the parliament is mandatory in this regard.

The Persecutor needs approval of five-sixths members ( 167 out of 200) in parliament to go ahead with the move.

The opposition Perussuomalaiset has 39 seats in the parliament, and if the party rejects the proposal, the charge could not be brought.

Perussuomalaiset chair Jussi Halla-aho was convicted of inciting hatred against an ethnic group in 2012.

The parliament likely to handle the matter in spring session in early February, the report added.