Päivi Räsänen Denied UK Transit Authorisation Following Finnish Conviction
Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen announced that the United Kingdom had withdrawn her Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), preventing her from transiting through London Heathrow Airport on her return from the United States, supposedly linked to her recent conviction for "hate speech" by the Finnish Supreme Court. Although her ETA had initially been approved, it was revoked shortly before her departure.
According to Räsänen, she received no explanation for the decision despite contacting the British Embassy in Helsinki. She stated that she believes the withdrawal is linked to her recent conviction for "hate speech" by the Finnish Supreme Court, noting that her husband, who submitted his ETA application at the same time, was granted authorisation. The UK Home Office has not publicly commented on the case or confirmed the reasons for the decision.
The development follows the Finnish Supreme Court's judgment of March 2026, in which Räsänen was acquitted of charges relating to a Bible verse posted on social media but convicted, by a narrow 3–2 majority, for publishing a church pamphlet on Christian teaching concerning marriage and sexual ethics. Räsänen has announced that she intends to appeal the conviction before the European Court of Human Rights. The ruling partially overturned two unanimous acquittals handed down by lower courts and ended nearly seven years of criminal proceedings.
Commenting on the travel restrictions, Räsänen said: “The Supreme Court’s closely divided ruling has had unexpected consequences. In addition to restricting freedom of expression, it has also created restrictions and difficulties related to travel and participation in meetings and conferences.” The decision also casts uncertainty over a planned visit to Northern Ireland next month, where Räsänen is due to address a conference and meet politicians.
The UK introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation system for visa-exempt travellers in 2025. Under the scheme, applications may be refused on criminality grounds, although the Home Office has not publicly commented on Räsänen’s case. Man right-wing activists have already been banned from the UK under the system.
Sources: Brussels Signal, Daily Signal
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