A summary of the main statements by the prosecution and the defense of MP Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola. On the ground reporting from Helsinki, Finland.

The prosecutor demands that Päivi Räsänen's writings on homosexuality are removed. Her lawyer underlines the politician’s belief in the dignity of all people and refers to the European Court of Human Rights.

Theologian Timo Eskola says courts of law should “not dictate what churches are allowed to teach about sin”. Other Lutheran academics have been less supportive of the Finnish parliamentarian.

The Finnish parliamentarian to be tried on 24 January for expressing her biblical convictions about homosexuality hopes her case will encourage other Christians to openly speak about their faith.

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The trial against the Christian parliamentarian charged with “ethnic agitation” against homosexuals will start in January.

Harvard, Princeton and Yale experts say the prosecution of the Christian parliamentarian for incitement against homosexuals “will compel Finland’s lay religious believers to choose between prison and abandoning teachings of their various faiths”. 

In Finland, a documentary film is being produced about the Christian politician prosecuted for expressing her views about the Bible and homosexuality.

The Spanish Evangelical Alliance writes to the Finnish ambassador, saying the court process against Päivi Räsänen is “a worrying step back that goes in the opposite direction of the Europe we all want to build together”.

“Teachings based on the Bible must be free to discuss in public”, says the Finnish Evangelical Alliance.

The Finnish Member of Parliament: “It did not even come to mind that my tweet or my opinions based on Christianity could be defamatory or insulting in any aspect”. “I will not step back from my conviction nor from my writings. I do not apologize for the writings of the Apostle Paul either”.

The Finnish General Prosecutor announces charges against the former Interior Minister for social media posts, a booklet and statements in a talk show. “I do not consider myself guilty. These are all based on the Bible’s teachings on marriage and sexuality”.

In a talk show in December 2019, Päivi Räsänen had commented on what the Bible teaches about homosexuality. The investigations against her could lead to “a court process of several years”.

Finnish politician Päivi Räsänen was interrogated by the police for five hours on his booklet on Bible and sexuality. “I categorically deny that my writing might be hate speech or defamation or slander of minorities”.

UPDATED: The police interrogated Juhana Pohjola for five hours. “I denied being guilty of the crime of ethnic agitation”. The booklet was published in 2004.

Last week, the police interrogated Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen for four hours. Now the State General Prosecutor announces a pretrial investigation on her booklet “Male and female He created them” .

Päivi Räsänen, the leader of the Christian Democrats, could be accused under Section 10 of the Criminal Code of Finland for “ethnic agitation”. A fine or prison are contemplated for this crime.

Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen shares her thoughts about the police investigation opened against her for quoting the Bible on homosexuality. She is “amazed” that “so many are praying for me and my country”.

The politician had criticised the Lutheran Church’s participation in the Helsinki LGBT Pride events. “I hope this won't lead to self-censorship among Christians”, she says.