Finnish MP Joona Räsänen’s drink-driving fine may trigger criminal investigation

Finnish police may have exceeded their authority when issuing a drink-driving fine to Social Democrat MP Joona Räsänen, raising the possibility of a criminal investigation into the officers involved, Helsingin Sanomat reports.

The Länsi-Uusimaa police department assessed Räsänen’s income at a lower level than actual figures when determining the fine, prompting the lawmaker to contact the regional prosecutor. Prosecutors are now considering whether to file a formal criminal complaint over the discrepancy.

Konsta Arvelin, a police inspector with the National Police Board, confirmed to Helsingin Sanomat that police lack the discretionary power used in this case. The decision to launch any criminal probe would rest with the Länsi-Uusimaa police, who originally issued the fine.

Räsänen, a first-term MP, was caught drink-driving in Espoo in mid-April. Following the incident, he announced he would not seek re-election to the Social Democratic Party’s executive board or his post as chair of the Uusimaa district branch.