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Sat, 03 May, 2014 12:01:38 AM NPB to investigate into the matter FTimes-STT Report, May 3  File picture of Cops in action on May Day in Helsinki. Photo – Lehtikuva. The National Police Board intends to carry out a probe into the police action during the May Day march, confirmed Minister of Interior Päivi Räsänen.
Räsänen said she had discussions on the issue with National Police Commissioner Mikko Paatero on Friday afternoon.
A formal decision is being awaited on Monday and according to the minister that will be enough and there will be no reason to ask for another report.
Police arrested 10 allegedly anarchist protesters on Thursday, when the traditional workers’ parade started in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.
Around 100 suspected anarchists gathered at the central railway station in downtown Helsinki, where the traditional May Day rally was launched at about 11 a.m. local time.
Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen. Photo – Lehtikuva. The masked suspects intended to protest against capitalism and some of them held sharp-ended sticks as weapons disguised as flagpoles. Ten alleged anarchists were arrested.
The Helsinki police on Friday said not all the confiscated flagpoles were linked to the anarchist protest and apologised for their action on the people who had no link to anarchism.
The police also said they will return the poles to the rightful owners and will compensate for the ones that were broken.
The police said they had to break the poles so that they could fit in the van.
Police Commissioner Mikko Paatero. Photo – Lehtikuva. The Left Youth of Finland said they had their poles confiscated when the group’s representatives were unloading those from a van.
In an interview with STT, National Police Commissioner Mikko Paatero said he had not heard of a case where the police had confiscated and broken poles from the members of the Left Youth during a May Day march.
Paatero said the matter will be revised on Monday and an investigation may be requested on the matter.
The police commissioner had already received the preliminary report on Thursday’s event but it did not mention the confiscation of poles belonging to Left Youth members.
Räsänen said it was right for the police to quickly evaluate their actions. “I think it is important that the police assess and monitor their own actions and publicly admit if they have done wrong.”
The minister also stressed that those who feel their rights have been violated have the opportunity to make a complaint.
Räsänen has already received the report on the May Day events from the police board.
The report, however, does not address the matter pertaining to issues of the Left Youth.
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| Friday, 19 April, 2024 |
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