Ylitornio council leader dismisses calls to suspend mayor facing serious abuse of office charges

A senior official in the northern Finnish municipality of Ylitornio has dismissed concerns over the mayor’s ongoing criminal trial, stating that many civil servants face charges while remaining in their posts, Yle reports.

Jarmo Pienimäki, mayor of Ylitornio, continues in his position despite being formally charged with aggravated abuse of office over his previous role as mayor of Ähtäri. The charges relate to secret municipal loan decisions, including funding for a panda enclosure at Ähtäri Zoo, between 2018 and 2020.

Tuomas Sandqvist, chair of Ylitornio’s municipal board (Centre Party), told Yle that no action would be taken at this stage. “He hasn’t been convicted, and he’s done his job well here in Ylitornio,” Sandqvist said, adding that the board would discuss the matter at its meeting on Monday. He argued it would be premature to consider dismissal, asking rhetorically: “Aren’t there quite a few officials in this country facing some kind of charges who haven’t been removed from office?”

Pienimäki was appointed mayor of Ylitornio in autumn 2024. The preliminary investigation into the Ähtäri case began in spring 2025.

Under Finnish law, if Pienimäki is convicted specifically of aggravated abuse of office, the court must rule on whether he can remain in his post. A conviction for the lesser charge of abuse of office would leave the decision to the municipal board and council. Juha Myllymäki, legal director of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, noted that trust in an official can be reassessed at any time—even before a verdict.

Eight former Ähtäri council members also face charges in the same case. All defendants, including Pienimäki, deny the allegations. The Southern Ostrobothnia District Court has not yet set a trial date.