Finland May Lower the Age of Criminal Responsibility

The Finnish Ministry of Justice is exploring the possibility of lowering the age of criminal responsibility due to the rising number of serious crimes committed by minors.

Currently, the age of criminal responsibility in the country is 15. Younger individuals, even if they commit serious crimes, are not held criminally responsible; instead, child protection measures are applied to them.

Justice Minister Lina Meri stated that Finland could follow Sweden’s example, as Sweden has decided to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 14 for serious crimes.

The Ministry of Justice is conducting an official study, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The reason for the legislative review is the rise in the number of cases of violence and other serious crimes committed by children under the age of 15.

Source: Yle.

As a reminder, due to the Russian threat, Finland has restricted shipping in the Gulf of Finland.

On the morning of July 4, the Finnish Armed Forces temporarily restricted air and maritime traffic in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland. These measures were implemented for security reasons.