The Moscow diplomatic note calls for enhanced security around the embassy and a temporary ban on demonstrations on September 20, when Russians will vote at this diplomatic mission, the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.
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The Finnish police do not prohibit demonstrations in advance.
“Fortunately, demonstrations can be held in Finland. Hopefully, the Russian elections will inspire people to protest,” wrote Timo Heinonen, a legislator from Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s National Coalition Party, on the social network X.
About 100,000 Russian-speaking people live in Finland, about a third of whom are Russian citizens. More than 6,000 Russians moved to Finland in 2022, when Moscow invaded Ukraine – the largest annual flow since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
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The Russian embassy is located in a Stalin-era building in the luxurious Ulanlinna district of Helsinki, locally called “Fabriku.” A protest at this mission was also held during the 2024 Russian presidential elections.
This request was made to Russia amid domestic criticism over the removal of the opposition party “Yabloko” from this year’s parliamentary elections. This party opposes the war in Ukraine and calls for it to end.
