Finnish law rarely restricts face coverings at protests, unlike Sweden’s blanket ban

Face coverings during public demonstrations are not generally prohibited in Finland, though Swedish law bans the practice outright, reports Yle. Legal experts and lawmakers are now calling for a review of Finland’s approach after masked participants in a far-right May Day march in Tampere were linked to an assault.

At least two Finnish MPs—Rami Lehtinen of the Finns Party and Jouni Ovaska of the Centre Party—have demanded a full ban on face coverings at protests following the incident. Kimmo Nuotio, professor of criminal law at the University of Helsinki, supports reassessing the legislation, noting that Finland’s current laws only prohibit masks if there is clear intent to commit violence or property damage.

“In my view, police should have the authority to ban face coverings if there is a risk of violence,” Nuotio told Yle. He added that spontaneous violence at protests complicates enforcement under existing laws, contrasting Finland’s approach with Sweden’s stricter default ban.

The call for reform follows a May Day march in Tampere where dozens of participants in the far-right Sinimusta Liike’s “White May Day” event wore masks. Some counter-protesters also covered their faces. During the march, a group of masked men in black—affiliated with the far-right Active Club—assaulted a young woman, Tytti Hynninen, in an incident captured on video. Police confirmed they are investigating the attack as aggravated assault but have not yet identified suspects.

Mikko Masalin, chief of police for the Western Finland Police Department, told Yle that officers did not order participants to remove masks, as risk assessments were made on a case-by-case basis. Police presence was concentrated at the front and rear of the march, leaving gaps where the assault occurred. Masalin acknowledged that broader coverage would have required additional resources.

Nuotio highlighted that masked protesters hinder investigations into crimes like the Tampere assault. He also noted that open Nazi salutes and “white power” hand gestures—displayed by some marchers, including members of Soldiers of Odin—could constitute incitement against an ethnic group if reported to authorities. While swastika flags are explicitly banned in Finland, no criminal complaints have been filed over the salutes, according to police.

Finland’s current laws “were not designed for protests this extreme,” Nuotio said, referencing the shift toward more overtly violent demonstrations in recent years. The debate follows Tampere Mayor Kalervo Nurminen’s statement that the Sinimusta Liike’s events are “not welcome” in the city center.