President Sauli Niinistö has not pardoned a single convicted criminal this year despite receiving 32 requests to do so, the Uutissuomalainen newspaper group reported on Saturday.
Niinistö has only issued one pardon in the past four years. In early 2021, he pardoned a woman who had been convicted of attempted manslaughter as "excessive self-defence" – meaning that force was used beyond what was reasonable under the circumstances.
According to the Supreme Court verdict, she had struck her husband with a kitchen knife during a domestic violence situation in December 2017. Before the act, the man had abused the woman and their children.
As a result of the presidential pardon, her 27-month prison sentence was converted into a suspended prison term.
Halonen issued more than 10 times as many pardons
Niinistö had previously pardoned two people in late 2018. In total, he has issued 21 pardons since taking office in 2012.
His predecessor, Tarja Halonen, pardoned 268 people during her two terms as president between 2000 and 2012. Before her, President Martti Ahtisaari approved 183 pardons in 1994–2000.
The decrease in amnesties during Niinistö's time is partly explained by the fact that the Helsinki Court of Appeal has been empowered to release prisoners with life sentences since the end of 2006. They must have served at least 12 years behind bars.
This year, eight prisoners with life sentences – all men convicted of murder – were conditionally released, according to the tabloid Ilta-Sanomat.
Before becoming president, Niinistö held a variety of posts including Minister of Justice and Assistant Judge on the Turku Court of Appeal.