Finnish MP Joona Räsänen’s drink-driving fine may trigger criminal investigation

Finnish police may have exceeded their authority when issuing a drink-driving fine to Social Democrat MP Joona Räsänen, raising the possibility of a criminal investigation into the officers involved, *Helsingin Sanomat* reports.

The Länsi-Uusimaa police department assessed Räsänen’s income at a lower level than actual figures when determining the fine, prompting the lawmaker to contact the regional prosecutor. Prosecutors are now considering whether to file a formal criminal complaint over the discrepancy.

Konsta Arvelin, a police inspector with the National Police Board, confirmed to *Helsingin Sanomat* that police lack the discretionary power used in this case. The decision to launch any criminal probe would rest with the Länsi-Uusimaa police, who originally issued the fine.

Räsänen, a first-term MP, was caught drink-driving in Espoo in mid-April. Following the incident, he announced he would not seek re-election to the Social Democratic Party’s executive board or his post as chair of the Uusimaa district branch.