Perussuomalaiset new MEP's conviction upheld

Helsinki Court of Appeal ruled on Tuesday that the previous conviction for assault and sexual abuse against the newly elected Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) Member of European Parliament Teuvo Hakkarainen will be upheld, reported National broadcaster Yle.

Hakkarainen was elected to the European Parliament held in late May.

According to the ruling, Hakkarainen will have to pay the 80-day fine for the offences took place in December 2017 in the parliament.

Earlier, on March 22, 2019 Helsinki Appeals Court increased the fines given to Hakkarainen for sexual harassment and assault.

Hakkarainen had attacked the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) female lawmaker Vera Ruoho in the parliament building in December 2017.

The incident took place in the canteen of the parliament while an evening session was ongoing in the next door plenary hall. Kokoomus MP Ruoho went to get a cup of coffee when Hakkarainen, of the Perussuomalaiset , hooked Ruoho's neck with his arm and enforced a kiss on her.

Hakkarainen did the action under the influence of alcohol. He later did not deny the action, but said that he was not guilty of a crime as he had not intended to harm Ruoho.

Ruoho is a police officer in her civilian profession. Another MP with police background, Kari Tolvanen, intervened to help Ruoho.

The court said on March 22 it increased the verdict as the violence targeted the head of the victim and took place at her workplace. Fines nearly doubled to 5,440 euros.

The conviction is the second during Hakkarainen's parliamentary career. In early 2017 he was fined for "instigation against a population group" in a social media entry.