Lappeenranta student group using Nazi symbols plans to change logo

A student group at Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) that has used Nazi symbols in its logo and activities plans to redesign its emblem, according to a group leader interviewed by Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The group, known as Skinnarila SikaKlubi (SSK), has faced criticism for wearing jackets featuring a logo resembling the Nazi SS insignia and for alleged use of Nazi salutes during campus events. The university’s student union previously reported the group for behavior conflicting with institutional values.

A newly appointed SSK leader, who has been involved for about a year, told Yle the decision to change the logo was made in early May—before the recent controversy—after the group lost access to student union facilities. “At the May Day celebration, I was elected to a leadership position, and we decided on new jackets with new logos,” the leader said, declining to be named.

The leader denied direct Nazi ties, calling the group “loud and sometimes provocative but ultimately harmless.” They claimed an external individual brought a Nazi flag to an SSK event roughly a year ago, which was only displayed later.

Finnish Parliament Speaker Jussi Halla-aho (Finns Party) told Yle the use of Nazi symbols by a university group “doesn’t sound very sensible.” He added he was unaware his daughter, Hilma Halla-aho—a reported SSK member—was involved until media reports surfaced. Hilma Halla-aho told tabloid Ilta-Sanomat the group had been “misunderstood,” describing it as an informal circle of friends rather than an organized collective.