Finland tightens terrorism laws with harsher penalties from June

Finland will impose stricter penalties for terrorism offenses starting next month after President Alexander Stubb approved legislative amendments on Friday, the Ministry of Justice announced.

The reforms expand the scope of punishable acts and increase sentences for crimes including preparation of terrorist acts, terrorist training, and facilitating terrorist travel. Aggravated offenses such as kidnapping, rape, robbery, and child rape will now also be prosecuted as terrorist acts if committed with terrorist intent.

Justice Minister Leena Meri (Finns Party) stated the changes were necessary to address rising threats. “Terrorist crimes seriously endanger society’s core functions, the rule of law, and public safety,” she said in the ministry’s release. The Finnish Security Intelligence Service has assessed the terrorism threat level in Finland as elevated.