Finland-Russia Society continues to face harassment despite condemnation of Russian government

The Finland-Russia Society and its executive director, Riku Savonen, continue to receive threats and insults via email and social media several times a year. This harassment persists despite the society’s condemnation of the Russian government and its invasion of Ukraine, as well as a cessation of collaboration with official Russian entities. Finnish public broadcaster Yle is publishing examples of these threatening and derogatory messages to highlight their content and tone.

Savonen reported that he received messages this year that included such remarks as: “What does the homo Riku care? You still seem to fan the Russians. Why don’t you move to Russia? You should at least kill yourself,” and “Riku, the Russian pig, who smells like cabbage.” He did not report these messages to the police as he did not see them as direct threats. However, he is quick to notify authorities if a message contains a clear threat of violence, with the latest report made in early October.

The situation has somewhat improved, according to Savonen, who notes that insults and threats occur less frequently than they did two years ago. The most extreme incident happened in February 2022, when the windows of the Kajaani Russia Society office were smashed. Savonen indicated that harassment used to occur daily but is now only monthly.

Several local branches of the Finland-Russia Society have changed their names following the expansion of the war in Ukraine. For example, the Kajaani Russia Society has become the Kajaani International Society. This change was made in response to partner organizations finding the word “Russia” in the society’s name increasingly problematic.