Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Porvoo Arson Trial


In the Finnish press some details are emerging of proceedings at the trial of the chief suspect in the Porvoo arson attacks in May, which led to the burning down of the town's historic cathedral. Iltalehti reports (my tr.) that the suspect had researched church fires that took place in Norway during the 1990s.
In the view of head prosecutor Petri Vaaja the motive was hatred of Christianity.

While the chief suspect denies that he planned the attack, he admits that his opinion of the Christian faith influenced the night's events.

"Christianity was brought here by force and it holds particular sway in Finland and Europe. But Christianity does not represent European culture in any way, especially in the Nordic countries."

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