Finland Times

 

Justice minister Anna-Maja Henriksson speaking in parliament on Wednesday. Photo Lehtikuva.

Lawmakers from treasury and opposition on Wednesday emphasised on strengthening the anti-terrorism act to bring terrorist activities, training and financing under the radar of law.

 

Some of them said people were availing training from abroad to operate terrorist activities in the country. 

 

The proposed law would prohibit activities such as using toxic substances or making explosives, keeping provision for up to three years’ jail.

 

Justice Minister Anna-Maja Henriksson said no one had been convicted under the anti-terrorism act in the country in the past. The minister said the law would tighten the financing of terrorism.

 

Referring to the bomb attacks in Madrid and London, Kari Rajamäki, lawmaker from Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democrat Party), said such incidents might be taken place again.

 

File picture of parliament. Photo Lehtikuva.

Rajamäki, also a former interior minister, said Finland had been too immature in preventing terrorism. He suggested that the ministries of Interior and Justice should keep close watch on the activities during the upcoming European parliamentary polls.

 

Vesa-Matti Saarakkala, lawmaker from main opposition Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party), said the Foreigner Act should be also updated so that those who committed terrorist offenses could be deported from Finland and their nationalities scrapped. Another opposition lawmaker Olli Immonen discussed the role of radical Muslims living in Finland.

 

In reply, the minister reminded lawmakers, especially those from the Finns Party, that the ethnic identity or the nationality of an individual should not be the reason to suspect them for terrorism.

 

“The threat of terrorism should not be underestimated, but it should not be exaggerated either,” Henriksson said.

 

Earlier, the annual report of Finnish intelligence agency Supo said the number of militants returning to Europe has increased significantly giving rise to a major security risk.

 

Supo warned that combat experiences acquired by radical religious groups had raised security threats.