Former Ähtäri mayor and nearly entire city council charged with abuse of office

The former mayor of Ähtäri and eight former city council members face charges of abuse of office over secret loans issued to the city’s zoo between 2018 and 2020, public broadcaster Yle reports.

Prosecutors filed charges this week against Jarmo Pienimäki, the former mayor now serving as municipal director of Ylitornio, along with five named council members: Helena Hautakangas (SDP), Hannu Hautoniemi (Centre), Reija Kaskimäki (NCP), Kari Kivinummi (SDP), and Hannu Riihimäki (Centre). Three additional unnamed former council members—no longer active in city decision-making—are also charged.

The allegations stem from an internal audit revealing that the council approved loans to Ähtäri Zoo, including funding for its giant panda exhibit, through undisclosed decisions made without proper authority. Pienimäki faces the more serious charge of aggravated abuse of office.

All defendants deny the charges. When contacted by Yle, Riihimäki, Kaskimäki, and Hautakangas declined to comment. Pienimäki responded via email: “I have no comment on matters concerning the City of Ähtäri.” Kaskimäki, though no longer a councilor, remains on the city’s audit board but stated she could not yet assess how the charges might affect her work there.

The South Ostrobothnia District Court has requested preliminary responses from the defendants by the end of May. A trial date has not yet been set.