An estimated 150 people have gathered in the city of Turku in Southwest Finland on Saturday afternoon to protest against coronavirus restrictions.
Police said they requested that the crowd break into smaller sub-groups of no more than six people, in line with regional restrictions on the size of public gatherings.
This request was mostly complied with by the protestors, police added.
However, police reported later in the afternoon that safety distances and small groups were not adhered to when a number of protestors moved to the pedestrianised area of Yliopistonkatu near the city centre. Police therefore instructed those present to leave the area and arrested two individuals who refuse to comply with the request.
Story continues after the photo.
Police Chief Stephan Sundqvist of the Southwest Finland Police Department told Yle on Friday that police supervision of the event had begun in advance via communication with the organisers.
Sundqvist added thatTurku police also held talks with the Helsinki Police Department after a similar event was held in the capital last Saturday. The Helsinki Police Department were criticised over how a group of about 400 protesters were allowed to gather despite restrictions in the region limiting public gatherings to no more than six people.
Story continues after the photo.
Helsinki police are currently investigating whether the organisers violated the public gathering restriction.
Police chief Seppo Kolehmainen said earlier this week that the Helsinki protest would not set a precedent for future demonstrations.