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Jussi Halla-aho

Jussi Halla-aho

POPULAR Finnish politician and blogger Jussi Halla-aho has fallen foul of Finland’s archaic blasphemy laws by claiming that the “prophet” Mohammed was a paedophile.

The Eurabia blog revealed at the weekend that the Helsinki city councilman was charged in the Helsinki district court with blasphemy, and incitement of an ethnic group, and ordered to stand trial for publishing the “slur”.

According to the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Jorme Kalske:

Halla-aho had uploaded to the Internet and submitted writings to the general public, in which Islam and its sacred institutions were combined with paedophilia …

Reacting to the conviction of far-right Finnish activitist Seppo Lehto – who was sentenced last year to two years and four months imprisonment for “gross defamation” of Islam, incitement against an ethnic group and for blasphemy –Halla-aho deliberately posted his “Mo was a kiddy-fiddler” remarks to provoke State prosecutor Mika Illman.

You can see Lehto in action here.

Seppo Lehto sketches Big Mo as a porker

Seppo Lehto sketches Big Mo as a porker

Halla-aho pointed out on his blog that the “filth” created by Lehto did indeed constitute “gross defamation, but:

Nobody has ever been sentenced for two years and four months for these kind of crimes. I don’t blame Mika Illman, he is obviously a man worthy of his last name, who does what he thinks he is supposed to do, but those district courts that have lamely given Mika everything he dares to ask have a reason to be ashamed of themselves.

He added:

According to state prosecutor Mika Illman and Tampere district court insulting the prophet Mohammed is illegal, because Muhammad is revered by Muslims. I intend to throw Mika a bait: the Prophet Mohammed was a paedophile and Islam revers paedophilia … Islam is a religion of paedophilia. Paedophilia is Allah’s will.

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29 Responses to “Free speech under attack in Finland”

  1. I am shocked! Are the finish blasphemy laws so wide as to cover every religion? Do they include the flying spaghetti monster and the noble Jedi? They surely can't protect every religious view in this way… The differences between faiths create inherent blasphemies, I mean If you don't agree with someone's religious point of view, are you not saying their religion is wrong/misguided/made up/fraudulent/primitive/foolish/ect…?

    It seems that to me if these prosecutions continue then publicly expressed atheism in Finland is a de facto crime, as presumably a non believer would see Mohamed (pork be upon him) as either a liar or a delusional lunatic.

  2. How can anyone be prosecuted for stating that Muhammad (Shit Be Upon Him) was a paedophile or rapist – these facts are well-documented – they are not matters of personal opinion!! And if I inaugurate a religion based on worship of Jack The Ripper or The Kray Twins (Blood Be Upon Them), does this mean that all the books written about them will need to be burned as they are now also "revered"? Roger is absolutely correct, of course – I used to be an evangelical Cretin (Plymouth Brethren brand), and you should just hear what THEY say about other sects and religions!!!

  3. Whist I'm thinking about it, doesn't this give the $ciontologists a free pass as well; if this law protects Mohamed's reputation from the facts of history, why not 'el Ron'?

    I'm seething at the idiocy of this now!

  4. Methinks the Finnish government is shit-scared of our bearded buddies.

    I know I am.

  5. Oh FFS. People can be prosecuted for insulting a person who, if he actually existed, has been dead for centuries? Why is it that the people who demand so much protection for their "beliefs", their "prophets", their holy books and all of their trappings don't give out an ounce of respect to other *living* human beings? Freaking hypocritical SOBs.

  6. Few points of clarification from Finland. Neither of the cases are really about blashphemy, but radical anti-immigration activism. They are both members of a finnish society called Suomen Sisu. It is NOT a coincidence that the initials of the said society are S.S. Think it as if the BNP had said something less savory about immigrants and then trying to yell "islamophobia."

    Halla-Aho is charged with breach of religious peace (formerly called blasphemy) for claiming amongst other things, that paedophilia is the will of Allah), and incitment of ethnic group by claiming that mugging innocent passersby is a national genetic trait of certain people (of african origins)). He may pose as a champion of free speech, but his real object is to get publicity for his very well-known anti-immigrant views.

    Nobody has been condemned for two years and four months for blashphemy. Seppo Lehto was not condemned for "gross defamation of Islam" but for nine counts of aggravated libel – none of them against a muslim; the victims included local politicians and the judge and prosecutor of an earlier libel case he lost-, one case of inciting ethnic hatred (including calling people of african origin disease or parasites), and one count of breach of peace of religion (formerly known as blasphemy).Mr. Lehto's conviction was mainly for those libel cases. It did not help him that he was under a suspended sentence for libel while doing it again.

    Since 2000 there have been handful of convictions, but all the penalties for just this crime were finea, although the theoretical maximum penalty is six months imprisonment. Now, I as an atheist am against blasphemy being crime at all, but it should be noted that a few years back a man was condemned to fines for making similar claims against christian god, so the law has not been applied unevenly either.

    There is an active atheist organisation in Finland called approriately enough Vapaa-Ajattelijat ("Free-Thinkers"). It has not taken any position on the matter, which indicates that they do not regard these incidents as really being about criticism of religion.

  7. "Jesus saith unto him, 'I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.' (John 14:6)

    "Then said Jesus unto them again, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers…I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved…' " (John 10:7-9)

    "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheeep`s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matt. 7:15)

    "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (I Tim. 2:5)

    I take it that Christians no longer believe all this bullshit then?

  8. regarding barriejohn's comment above, doesn't It strike you as slightly amusing that Xianity was founded on such blasphemies? Shit like that could get a dude nailed to something back in the day…

  9. Well, if "Jesus" really existed he didn`t actually go around saying the things that were going to endear him to the Jewish establishment did he?

  10. He should be hanged for saying such mean things about poor Mohammed. What did Mohammed ever do to him? Mohammed was a nice man and he was deeply in love with his wife. He was often seen kissing and holding hands with his wife as he walked her to elementary school…

  11. You make a point, but since I really doubt that he did exist in the first place, it might be unfair to blame the jews for killing him.

    an another note I brought A C Grayling's 'against all gods' at the weekend – a bit steep at nine pounds for such a thin book… he cheerfully makes the point that religious folk are undeserving of any special treatment & since beliefs are chosen, it is perfectly fair to ridicule them and the people who hold them.
    That being said we are a way from being able to sell a pig skin bound copy of the koran on ebay, without risking life and limb…getting it printed on to toilet paper is right out too…

  12. I heard that Mohammed once raped, killed and ate a pig.

    Just sayin'.

  13. I don`t want to go off at a tangent here, but I take it that everyone is familiar with the site http://www.jesusneverexisted.com !! Whoever "he" was, he and his followers have made the most outrageous claims about other "prophets", gods, and religions!!!

  14. Molotov Cocktail
    April 27th, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    The main point of Halla-Aho's text actually wasn't to imply that Muhammed was a pedophile but to point out how hypocrite Finnish journalists are. I'm willing to bet 50 euros that the biggest and most influential newspaper in Finland – Helsingin Sanomat – had some say in this. After all, Helsingin Sanomat is like Finnish equivalent of Pravda.

  15. http://video.google.com/videop.....06177304...

    Talking of, even theologians don't accept history of the bible as it is written within it, or so it seems – how can they still believe in this crap at the same time as refuting its stated basis for existing?

  16. When Neville Chamberlain was appeasing Hitler, Winston Churchill heaped lavish praise on Finland for standing up to the other terrorists, the Russians. How things have changed.

  17. The software on this server has some serious issues. Having said that, let me be the devil's advocate by saying, even though the Quran states that Aisha, nine years old was the wife of muhamed, and we can assume he was throwing her the sausage, accepted social norms were not the same at the time. Nor were they the same fifty years ago. My mother was married at the age of sixteen.

    And I assume, that the laws in Finland are designed to keep people from inciting social unrest between religious groups. Yes, by our present laws and social standards, muhamed was a pediphile, and Finland quashes free speech, but, before we get self righteous thinking our system is better, remember slavery and the civil war. How long ago was it when a black man could vote without fearing for the lives of himself and his family? So maybe we should leave the Finns alone to deal with their social problems in the way they see fit. Ya think?

    Norman Lycan

  18. Not to mention (judging by the news today from swat) completely and utterly tone death.
    How else to explain his hatred of music (pronounced noise).

    The only daft thing about it all is that we are dragging 76th. century laws, screaming, into the 21st. century – where they are genuinely out of place.

  19. Godless not gormless
    April 28th, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    "and we can assume he was throwing her the sausage, accepted social norms were not the same at the time. Nor were they the same fifty years ago. My mother was married at the age of sixteen."

    In case you haven't noticed, 16 is legal in the civilized world and I'm sure she wasn't married against her will to a 50odd year old. Mo was 51 when he married Aisha who was only 6yo at the time, but because muslims don't consider what is right or wrong, only what is allowed or not, paedophilia is rife in islam. While your mother was married at 16 in the fifties, 9 is the minimum legal age in Iran right now and even then that is older than in some other muslim countries.

    I am sure most people here are aware that in the 7th century, many cultures would have condoned this practice, but mo was supposed to have been in touch with god. According to mo it was god's will that he should marry aisha so who was he to go against god's will? This was also the case when he wanted to marry zaynab, his cousin and his adopted son's wife who he divorced to allow mo to carry out 'god's wishes' Must be very handy when you have a powerful friend (even an imaginary one) who panders to your every whim and desire. The assassination of political opponents, the permission to marry who you like etc etc, all his wants came with a seal of approval from heaven.

    So, god condones paedophilia? Does he still condone it now? Surely god's moral fibre would be constant and absolute? surely there would be no concession for underdeveloped cultures and minds? What should be should be. Obviously, and I know you are aware of this, the morals, or lack thereof, displayed in the 'holy' books are a demonstration of how things were back in those days and not of how they should be now. But paedophilia is still rife in islam now and this guy has every right to point this out.

  20. Godless not gormless
    April 28th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    "presumably a non believer would see Mohamed (pork be upon him) as either a liar or a delusional lunatic."

    This is an outrage!!! You should have more respect for the prophet! He was BOTH a liar AND a delusional lunatic!!! Not only that, he was also a murderer, a rapist and a paedophile. Give the man some credit and show some respect!!!

  21. godless, there is no such thing as god, and therefore can neither approve or condemn anything. God is a human creation, just as our social standards are human creations. In centuries past, rich and influencial men got all the women, and poor boys got friendly with Rosy Palm. The lost boys.

    But, as I stated in my post, I was playing devil's advocate, and sharing another possible way to see the issue. It does not necessarily represent my personal viewpoint. If fact, if the truth were known, the prophet of allah was probably buggering little boys too. Catholic priests didn't take out a patent.

    So calm down, I was just playing a game called debate.

    Norman Lycan

  22. Godless not gormless
    May 1st, 2009 at 10:59 pm

    Firstly, I am aware that god doesn't exist, I was referring to mo's claim on the author of the koran and my belief that no excuses should be made about the actions of 'prophets' being in step with the morals of the time since the all knowing, all merciful, all loving god was supposed to be handing out the instructions to these turds. It was not meant to be an acknowledgment of the existence of god.

    Secondly, I don't think I need to calm down as that was not a rant, because thirdly, I was only participating in the debate.

    “but, before we get self righteous thinking our system is better, remember slavery and the civil war”

    You have mentioned slavery etc, like those 'sins of the west' which we are all supposed to be feeling guilty about. I could never condone slavery, but I am not responsible for the actions of those people in the past. You are allowing yourself to be influenced by this 'the west is all evil' garbage that people like to use as a backup to their claim that the west is the cause of all problems in the world. Just like it’s ‘western imperialism’ which makes muslims want to kill us rather than the teachings of their vile book.

    Many nasty things have been carried out by white Europeans, but none of them by me or anyone I know. Most white Europeans had nothing to do with these crimes yet we are all to feel that we are a problem when in fact, the western world (and I don’t just mean white people here but anyone who embraces the western approach) and free thinking are what has brought us to where we are today in terms of advancements; medicine, education, exploration, technology etc.

    Westerners opposed slavery a long time ago and had it abolished whereas the muslims were officially still involved in the slave trade until the 1990’s as far as I am aware but no, it us pesky westerners that have to be made to feel guilty about it.

    Mo was a paedophile, no two ways about it and no excuses should be made for him. Because of him, many little girls in muslim countries still end up getting forced into marriages with older men and raped. So, forget the devil’s advocate shit. Many of us have moved on, but religion holds us back from progressing as we should, and none more so than islam. It’s time more people made it clear what islam is all about instead of all this censorship crap. People need to know that islam is pure evil and should not be tolerated never mind protected and respected.

  23. Did you know that terrorism affects women more than any other demographic group?

    Please help us to stop terrorism by filling out a short survey at:

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    I would really value your opinion and the opinion of your readers. The long-term goal of this project is to facilitate a more diplomatic American foreign policy in the years ahead.
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  24. Can anyone in Finland refer me to a lawyer who has experience in criminal and civil internet libel and defamation defense and litigation? Please contact me at info (a) rexxfield.com

    Tunteeko kukaan, tai onko kenelläkään kontaktia lakimieheen suomessa, kenellä olisi kokemusta tai asiantuntemusta yksityiselämää loukkaavan tiedon levittämisestä, sekä kunnianlokkauksista, ja näihin liittyvistä syytteistä, sekä puolustuksesta?

    Voitte ottaa yhteyttä osoitteeseeni: info (a) rexxfield.com

    (Reply in english please)

  25. there is one god in the world allah who create adam like jesus they were a prophets like moise jacob josef noé ismail and isaac .and islam is begin with abraham .he was not juish not cristines but muslum .the religion who allah gives to all this prophets is islam . then abraham it was a lot of nominations but isalam is the first and the last religion .thanks for understanding.

  26. 26.6.2009 Turku hovioikeus justice court hold that 2 years 4 months prisonery about muhammed mogging etc

    Could you help

    Seppo Lehto
    Muhammed caricaturist
    Finland

  27. The existence of God is naturally obvious and man cannot excuse himself from this reality. Infact, the Bible-Book of Romans says: “The invisible qualities of God are clearly seen in the things that HE has made”. In other words, the universe, nature and its splender, all speak of the existence of God. Mankind, himself, is very fear inspiring to behold.

    Adam’s sin led to his immediate spiritual death and eventual physical death. We have inherited sin. Sin is clearly manifested by our natural tendency to act ungodly. Sin also manifests itself in the form of sicknesses and eventually we die. The Bible, also makes it clear that
    there is a spirit being(devil, together with the demons) that deceives the entire inhibited earth. Their aim is to steal, kill and destroy(everything including life).

    A promised seed was to come one day to swallow death, for man to have life again. Hence, the promise, I have come to give you life, more and more abundantly.

    There is an insatiable desire on the part of man to get back to God, hence the numerous religions in the world with it diverse religious paraphenelia. However, it is not every religious doctrines, engagements, services that pleases God. God had to call Abram from his father’s household of idol worship and made a covenant with him. This convenant relationship continued with Isaac, the promised child. The covenant relationship continued with Jacob(Israel).

    Israel was entrusted with the Oracles(sacred commitment) of God. God
    raised up prophets among the Jews and instructed them of his ways.
    Particularly, these prophets wrote down prophecies concerning the seed
    promised after the fall of man. God had said to Abra(ham),”By means of you the whole world would be blessed”. The faithfulness and obedience on the part of Abraham to sacrifice Isaac provoked God to pronouce the above blessing, prophetically, to future belivers in Christ. God did provide a ram for the sacrifice, though. The real sacrifice was going to be provided by God, thousands of years to come. Infact, Calvary turn out to be the same moutainous area where Abraham sacrificed.

    Throughout the Bible we see the power, justice, mercies, loving kindness, faithfuulness, endurance etc of God among his people and other nations. For example, He spared Nineveh when the Jewish prophet Jonah warned them of their sins that was smelling up to the heavens. King Darius of Medo Persia empire, acknowledged the God of the Jewish prophet, Daniel, as the true God. So did Nebuchadnezzer(Babylon Empire) who was humbled by living in the bushes for years. Neymann(a syrian army officer) acknowledged that the true God is the God of Israel.

    The Book of Daniel, contains detailed accounts of the comming Messiah who was to come in the world and eventually be cut off(crucified), and his death would serve as an atonement for the sins of the entire mankind. Christ came to fulfill the prophecy. His birthplace, date of his birth, when he will begin his ministry until offering his life as a sacrifice were all prophesied in detail by the prophets.

    Jesus is the WORD of God. Through him all things were created. He came down fron heaven to save us so that we may may have eternal life, by believing and living a life in him.

    Jesus acknowledged the OLD testament, read them in the synagogues and consistently pointed to the scriptures concerning him, especially, when he was with the apostles after his resurrection, that all the writings of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets have come to pass(fulfilled) in him.

    The NEW testament contains many quotations and references to the OLD testament prophecies about Christ and their fulfillments. Jesus emphatically said, salvation is of the Jews. That is, the saving justice of God has come through the intrumentality of the Jewish people, for God raised up prophets among them that would tell the nations about the Messiah and the Kingdom which is to come.

    God has promised us that a time is coming that there shall be no more death, sorrows, cry nor pain. For the former things shall pass away.
    We are all the creation of God, but we are all not children of God. The Bible says, “As many that believed in HIM(Jesus Christ), he gave
    them the power to become the children(spiritual) of God”

    Indeed, God has given us life and that life is in his son, Jesus Christ. Whoever has the Son has life. Whosoever does not have the Son
    (unbelief), the wrath of God remains upon that person.

    The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin when we heard the Word of God. It is this conviction that makes is possible for one to surrender his/her life to Christ and Baptised. Please, read through the Atcs of the Apostles in the New Testament.


    Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray for each and everyone whose heart is ready to receive you as his/her personal saviour.
    Thank you, for the blood which washes and cleanses us from all
    unrighteousness and fill us will your Holy Spirit.

    Fellowship with believers, develop a constant Bible reading and prayerful lifestyle, look for opportunities to do plenty in the Church.
    God would certainly use you mightly if you come to know him and avail yourselve to him.

    Stay blessed!

  28. Samuel, this is an ATHEIST site, not a dumping ground for religious bullshit. Please do not post here again.

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