Sanna Marin's suspected stalker handed restraining order
The court said the man was seen hanging around the stairwell of Sanna Marin's residence and had attempted to enter her home.
36-year-old man, suspected of stalking former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has been issued an extended restraining order lasting until January 2026.
Marin had requested a one-year restraining order, which the District Court of Helsinki granted at a hearing on Friday morning.
The court heard that the man was seen hanging around the stairwell of Marin's residence and had attempted to enter her home.
The defendant however denied being the individual spotted near her home.
Police had previously issued a temporary restraining order against the man, which has now been extended until January 9, 2026.
According to the court's decision, the man is prohibited from contacting Marin or entering certain areas, the details of which remain confidential.
A person faced with a restraining order is prohibited from meeting or attempting to contact the protected individual, as well as from monitoring or following them.
An extended restraining order forbids the individual from being in or near certain areas, such as the protected person's home, vacation property, workplace, or other comparable locations.
According to Finnish law, a restraining order is imposed only to the extent necessary in each individual case.
Syytetty istuu oikeussalissa kuvattuna selkäpuolelta.
The suspected stalker was separated from Marin by a partition at the Helsinki District Court on Friday. Image: Antti Aimo-Koivisto / Lehtikuva
History of similar offences
According to Yle sources, the man physically approached Marin several times during December.
The police detained the man on Christmas Eve when he was seen near Marin's home. However, he was not remanded into custody.
Criminal Commissioner Tommi Lehtonen confirmed that a case matching the description is under investigation, but the police have not disclosed the identities involved. The case is being investigated as stalking.
"The investigation is still ongoing. The suspect will likely be questioned again," Lehtonen said.
According to tabloid Iltalehti, the man allegedly stalked Marin from early December through the holiday season last year and has a history of similar offences.
News of the restraining order application was first reported by Helsingin Sanomat.
The court said the man was seen hanging around the stairwell of Sanna Marin's residence and had attempted to enter her home.
yle.fi