Justice Minister: Homicides Up by Forty Percent
Image: YLE
Homicides increased by 40 percent since last year. According to Justice Minister Tuija Brax, based on statistics gathered at the beginning at the year, violent deaths this year surpassed last year's numbers by 40 percent. Last year 127 homicides were reported in Finland.
Brax's estimate includes figures from January to June this year and the victims of last Tuesday's Kahuajoki shooting incident.
Addressing a gathering of Green League party members in Kotka on Saturday, Brax said that the first order of business for municipal council members elected in next month's local government elections should be to dust off and review local security plans.
The Minister said that although Myrmanni, Jokela and Kuahajoki might be exceptional cases, leaders still need to pay attention to the volume of violent crime in Finland, some committed by persons who are marginalised or intoxicated.