Police drop investigation into alleged threats against wolf hunter in North Karelia

Finnish police have closed a preliminary investigation into an alleged threat against a wolf hunting expert in North Karelia, ruling that the incident did not meet the legal threshold for prosecution, reports Yle.

Mika Piiroinen, a hunting specialist based in Tohmajärvi and Kitee, filed a police report in January after receiving a call from an unknown number. The caller reportedly criticised wolf hunting as “ridiculous clowning” and made ambiguous references to handling firearms, stating that Piiroinen’s hunting would end when they met in person.

Piiroinen interpreted the remarks as a death threat, but Eastern Finland Police determined the statements lacked sufficient concreteness to constitute a criminal offence under Finnish law. Authorities noted that a credible threat requires the victim to have reasonable grounds to fear for their personal safety.

Piiroinen expressed disappointment with the decision, telling Yle he considered the call direct intimidation. “I’m concerned about what will happen during the next round of wolf hunting permits,” he said. No further threats have been reported since the incident.

The case follows broader reports of harassment targeting wolf hunters across Finland, with Piiroinen previously stating he had faced serious threats linked to his role in large carnivore management.