Politicians criticise defence arguments in Amirkhani trial

Finnish politicians have condemned defence arguments about musician Mira Luoti’s age and attractiveness in the trial of mixed martial artist Makwan Amirkhani, Yle reports.

Amirkhani is accused of forcing Luoti to engage in a sexual act. The case is being heard at the Western Uusimaa District Court. The allegations relate to the filming of the TV series Julkkisselviytyjät in Nuuksio, Espoo, in summer 2016. Amirkhani and Luoti gave evidence on Monday.

Left Alliance leader Minja Koskela criticised defence lawyer Kari Uoti for referring to Luoti’s age in court. Uoti said Luoti was nearly 40 at the time and, in Amirkhani’s view, not “attractive”. He also said that Amirkhani was very attractive from Luoti’s perspective.

Koskela questioned the relevance of attractiveness to harassment, saying it could be about asserting power over another person. She also challenged the idea that women in their 40s could be considered “too old” to be targeted.

Social Security Minister Karoliina Partanen, of the National Coalition Party, said Luoti had been humiliated in court. Green Party MP Alviina Alametsä also criticised the defence’s arguments, saying that focusing on insults and speculation in trials undermines trust in the justice system.

Uoti called it inappropriate for a minister to comment on a pending trial. He said Partanen’s remarks accused Amirkhani and went against the presumption of innocence, under which a person must be treated as innocent until guilt is legally established. Uoti said the court, not government ministers, would decide the case.

Finns Party MP Juho Eerola also criticised Partanen, saying she had taken sides during the trial and expressed strong opinions before a verdict.