Court rejects ex-envoy’s plea against warning

The Administrative Court of Helsinki on Wednesday rejected the plea of former Finnish ambassador to Sweden Jarmo Viinanen and upheld the government decision that he had acted inappropriately towards two female staff of the embassy.

The court made the verdict following complaint by Viinanen against a formal reprimand issued by the foreign affairs ministry. In the appeal, Viinanen claimed that the government warning was unjustified.

The government issued a written warning in November 2016 which stated Viinanen’s behaviour strayed from his responsibilities as an ambassador and top-level ministry official.

Earlier in mid August 2016, the Finnish ambassador to Sweden was closed following allegations of sexual harassments, and the ambassador was re-called from Stockholm and re-assigned to other duties.

The decision was taken after the ministry had conducted an internal inspection at the embassy following claims of inappropriate behaviours by Viinanen.

According to the ministry, the inspection revealed inappropriate treatment.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Timo Soini said the embassy’s operating conditions had worsened.

He said Viinanen’s prospects for continuing in the post had deteriorated, so he proposed fast-tracking a transfer to a post in the ministry for the diplomat.

A Finnish language tabloid, Iltalehti, reported earlier in July 2016 that accusation of sexual harassment had been levied against Viinanen.

The report said Viinanen was accused of harassing both guests and employees of the embassy.

The inspection investigated, among other things, Viinanen’s leadership and the well-being of Stockholm’s embassy, said the ministry.

Viinanen has had a long career in key diplomatic positions. He was appointed the ambassador to Sweden in 2014. Prior to that, he worked in New York as the permanent representative to UN, sometimes referred to as the UN ambassador.

From 2000 to 2009, he was a foreign policy adviser to the President’s Office and also worked at the Prime Minister’s Office.