Prosecutor v. Räsänen

Description: In 2019, Finnish police interrogated Päivi Räsänen for the ‘crime’ of tweeting her biblical worldview. Räsänen, a Finnish medical doctor, active parliamentarian, former Minister of the Interior, mother, grandmother, and Christian, posted the tweet to question her church’s official sponsorship of the Helsinki LGBTQ ‘Pride 2019’ event. Following the tweet, the police also investigated a pamphlet that she authored for her church in 2004 titled, “As Man and Woman He Created Them” about sexuality and marriage. Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola also stood trial alongside Räsänen for publishing the pamphlet.

Finland’s Supreme Court acquits parliamentarian on Bible tweet, convicts her for ‘insult’ in 20-year-old church pamphlet on separate charge

Thursday, Mar 26, 2026

Read this news release at the ADF International website.

Related Resources

Letter from members of Congress in support of Päivi Räsänen and Juhana Pohjola (2023-08-08)

ABOUT Paul Coleman

Paul Coleman serves as executive director of ADF International, overseeing the legal advocacy of all ADF International offices. Specializing in international human rights and European law, Coleman has been involved in more than 20 cases before the European Court of Human Rights and has authored submissions before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, UN Human Rights Committee, and numerous national courts. Coleman earned his LL.M. and postgraduate diploma in legal practice from the Northumbria Law School, graduating with distinction. He also has a bachelor of laws from Newcastle University and graduated with first-class honours. Coleman is a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales and is the author of two books and numerous articles.

ABOUT Kristen Waggoner

Kristen Waggoner is CEO, president, and chief counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, the world’s largest legal organization advancing every person’s God-given right to live and speak the truth. Leading a team of more than 450 people across 11 offices worldwide, Waggoner directs ADF’s work on the most consequential legal and cultural issues of our time—advocating for free speech, religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. Under her leadership—first as head of U.S. litigation and now as CEO—ADF has won 15 cases at the U.S. Supreme Court, including Dobbs, the historic decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Waggoner has personally argued several landmark cases before the Court, including Masterpiece Cakeshop and 303 Creative. She also leads ADF International, which operates in more than 80 countries and has achieved significant success before international tribunals. Current high-profile cases include the defense of British veteran Adam Smith-Connor, Finnish parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen, and Canadian advocate “Billboard Chris,” who face government censorship and prosecution for silently praying or speaking truth. In recognition of her leadership, the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal awarded Waggoner the 2025 Richard D. McLellan Prize for Advancing Free Speech and Expression. She was also appointed by President Donald J. Trump to serve on the advisory board of legal experts to the Religious Liberty Commission. A sought-after speaker, she has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, addressed the United Nations, and regularly appears in national and international media. Waggoner clerked at the Washington Supreme Court and practiced law for over 15 years at a Seattle-based firm before joining ADF. She is Peer Review Rated AV® Preeminent™ in Martindale-Hubbell and is passionate about defending truth and freedom to ensure human flourishing.

Prosecutor v. Räsänen

Finland’s Supreme Court acquits parliamentarian on Bible tweet, convicts her for ‘insult’ in 20-year-old church pamphlet on separate charge

ABOUT US

CONNECT

Commentary

Previous News Releases