FINLAND: Total objector started prison sentence last week

War Resisters' International was informed today that Finish total objector Andras Lahdelma, a 20-years old student from Jyväskylä, started to serve his 77-days long prison sentence on 23th of January. He had completed 8 months of his 13-months long civilian service before he interrupted it last May.

He considers himself as a pasifist and he didn´t want to fulfil civilian service because its duration is perceived as a punishment and it is very poorly organised.

Already three antimilitarists have been in court in Finland this year. 19-years old Jani Martinkauppi was sentenced to imprisonment of 142 days on 23 January. He did 110 days of civilian service before interrupting it. Olaf Laczak´s and Markus Mattsson´s trial was held on 22nd of January. Their sentences will be given on 5th of February and both will with every likelihood get 197 days. Next week there will be two more trials.

On 1st of January there where 22 imprisoned total objectors in Finland.

War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of all imprisoned total objectors in Finland and everywhere.

War Resisters' International calls for letters of support to Andras Lahdelma and Lauri Uusitalo.

Lauri Uusitalo
(7.1.-24.7.2002)
Satakunnan vankila/
Huittisten osasto
Toivarintie 581
32700 HUITTINEN

Andras Lahdelma
(23.1-9.4.2002)
Sukevan vankila
PL2
74345 KALLIOSUO

War Resisters' International calls for letters of protest the Finish authorities, and Finish embassies abroad.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International