Antti Pekola under investigation for homophobic messages in Pori

A criminal report has been filed concerning a homophobic text message sent by Antti Pekola, a municipal council member and conservative activist from Pori. This has been confirmed by the Southwest Finland police to Yle. The matter is currently under preliminary investigation. The complaint was lodged by the national human rights organization Setan.

Eliisa Alatalo, a communications expert at Setan, stated, “We have reported the act under the offense of incitement against a group of people. We believe it is important for the matter to be investigated, as we consider the remarks meet the criteria of this crime.”

The controversy began when Pekola advocated for adherence to a Biblical command regarding the death penalty for homosexuals in a text message published in Satakunnan Kansa in September. His comments were widely condemned. Turku Bishop Mari Leppänen called the remarks inappropriate and expressed sadness and shock over them. Likewise, Jarkko Stenfors, the chairman of the Satakunta Conservative Party, stated that Pekola’s comments contradicted the party’s principles.

Shortly after the uproar began concerning his messages, Pekola resigned from the Conservative Party.