Finland is considering revoking the citizenship of migrants convicted of sex crimes after Oulo police exposed a migrant rape gang that preyed on young girls.
The country’s parliament is currently considering a bill that would remove citizenship and expel those convicted of terrorism or treason, but interior minister Kai Mykkänen said such sanctions should be considered for those convicted of serious sexual crimes as well, reports Yle.
The increase of asylum seekers entering the country during the 2015 migrant crisis and through refugee programmes has been seen as the source of increased sexual violence in Oulo, according to police.
Oulu Police Criminal Officer Milla Kynuunniemi said that after the influx, “Increased sexual harassment could be seen in the streets.”
“Whenever people come from another culture, there will also be clashes. Early on, sexual harassment was observed more than before. It’s no good to deny that it was not visible,” Officer Kynuunniemi added.
In early December, authorities in Oulu confirmed ten suspects had been arrested in connection with grooming, rape, and sexual violence carried out against three children under the age of 15. All of the men either arrived during the migrant flow or via the country’s refugee quota scheme.
The abuse so disturbed Finland, that the country’s President Sauli Niinistö made a public statement, condemning the “shocking inhumanity,” saying Finland must “show strength” in punishing the rapists so that Finns “can continue to have a just, safe society.”
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