A Finnish parliamentarian has been convicted by her country’s highest court following a years-long legal battle over statements she made about homosexuality based on her Christian faith. Paivi Rassanen was found guilty by Finland’s Supreme Court in a narrow 3-2 decision that resulted in approximately $2,000 in fines. The conviction stems from public comments Rassanen made expressing her religious views on homosexuality, which prosecutors argued violated Finland’s hate crime statutes. The case has wound through the court system for several years, with Rassanen mounting multiple appeals. Her legal team indicates they may pursue further action by taking the matter to the European Court of Human Rights.
