Editing Neo-Nazism (section)

====Finland====
{{Further|Far-right politics in Finland}}
[[File:Pekka Siitoin.png|thumb|[[Pekka Siitoin]], Finnish neo-Nazi, [[occultist]], and [[Satanism|Satanist]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Western Esotericism in Scandinavia |date=21 June 2016 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-32596-8 |page=598 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Western_Esotericism_in_Scandinavia/rGpyDAAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.turkulainen.fi/paikalliset/1401646 |title=Suomessa on lakkautettu järjestöjä viimeksi 1970-luvulla – muistatko vielä surullisen kuuluisan Naantalin uusnatsin? |last=Mäkilä |first=Ville |date=1 September 2018 |website={{ill|Turkulainen (newspaper)|lt=Turkulainen|fi|Turkulainen}} |language=fi |access-date=23 February 2021 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805230049/https://www.turkulainen.fi/paikalliset/1401646 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
In Finland, neo-Nazism is often connected to the 1930s and 1940s fascist and pro-Nazi [[Patriotic People's Movement]] (IKL), its youth movement [[Blues-and-Blacks]] and its predecessor [[Lapua Movement]]. Post-war fascist groups such as [[Patriotic People's Movement (1993)]], [[Patriotic Popular Front]], [[For Independence|Patriotic National Movement]], [[Blue-and-Black Movement]] and many others consciously copy the style of the movement and look up to its leaders as inspiration. A [[Finns Party]] councillor and police officer in Seinäjoki caused small scandal wearing the fascist blue-and-black uniform.<ref>{{cite web|title=IKL:n kopio havittelee eduskuntapaikkoja Pohjanmaalla juhlittiin Vihtori Kosolan syntymäpäivää|url=https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000003254386.html|work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]]|date=24 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Finns Party splinter group dons colours of 1940s fascists|date=13 January 2021|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/finns_party_splinter_group_dons_colours_of_1940s_fascists/11735369|publisher=[[Finnish Broadcasting Company]]|access-date=30 August 2022|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603080717/https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/finns_party_splinter_group_dons_colours_of_1940s_fascists/11735369|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ignazi |first=Piero |title=Extreme Right Parties in Western Europe |date=2003 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=9780198293255 |pages=160 |language=en}}</ref>

During the Cold War, all partied deemed fascist were banned according to the [[Paris Peace Treaties]] and all former fascist activists had to find new political homes.<ref>Jorma O. Tiainen (toim.): ''Vuosisatamme Kronikka'', s. 668. Jyväskylä: Gummerus, 1987. {{ISBN|951-20-2893-X}}.</ref> Despite [[Finlandization]], many continued in public life. Three former members of the Waffen SS served as ministers; the [[Finnish SS Battalion]] officers [[Sulo Suorttanen]] ([[Centre Party (Finland)|Centre Party]]) and [[Pekka Malinen]] ([[People's Party of Finland (1951)|People's Party]]) as well as [[Mikko Laaksonen]] ([[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democrat]]), a soldier in the [[Finnish volunteers in the Waffen-SS#Finnish SS-Company|Finnish SS-Company]], formed of pro-Nazi defectors.<ref>''[[Lars Westerlund]] – Sotavangit ja internoidut Kansallisarkiston artikkelikirja''. Kansallisarkisto, Helsinki 2008 ([https://arkisto.fi/uploads/Julkaisut/monografiat/Internoidut_Naytto.pdf Verkkojulkaisuna Kansallisarkiston sivuilla] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724123204/https://arkisto.fi/uploads/Julkaisut/monografiat/Internoidut_Naytto.pdf|date=24 July 2022}})</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.kirjastot.fi/kysy/arkistohaku/kysymys/?ID=e5a28990-6bcf-4d52-a597-bdae00af97bd|title=Kysymys SS-vapaaehtoisista|date=31 May 2007|publisher=Kirjastot.fi|access-date=23 September 2016|archive-date=7 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907213251/https://www2.kirjastot.fi/kysy/arkistohaku/kysymys/?ID=e5a28990-6bcf-4d52-a597-bdae00af97bd|url-status=live}}</ref> Neo-Nazi activism was limited to small illegal groups like the [[Turku Society for the Spiritual Sciences|clandestine Nazi occultist group]] led by [[Pekka Siitoin]] who made headlines after [[Kursiivi printing house arson|arson and bombing]] of the printing houses of the [[Communist Party of Finland]]. His associates also sent [[letter bomb]]s to leftists, including to the headquarters of the [[Left Youth (Finland)|Finnish Democratic Youth League]].<ref>[https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000005528696.html Kekkonen sai tarpeekseen Suomen natseista – 1977 Supolle lähti tuima kirje: "Mikä tämä tanssi Siitoimen ympärillä on?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514124647/https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000005528696.html |date=14 May 2021 }}, [[Iltasanomat]], Miika Viljakainen</ref> Another group called the "New Patriotic People's Movement" bombed the left-wing ''[[Kansan Uutiset]]'' newspaper and the embassy of communist Bulgaria.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://areena.yle.fi/audio/1-4342434 |title="Minä vannon uhraavani kaikkeni sille työlle, joka koituu maani ja kansani parhaaksi!" |publisher=[[Yle]] |author=Harri Alanne |access-date=9 August 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809135404/https://areena.yle.fi/audio/1-4342434 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ksml.fi/kulttuuri/Kirja-arvio-Marginaaliset-mellastajat/1096708 |title=Kirja-arvio: Marginaaliset mellastajat |author=Alanko, Aki |date=19 January 2018 |publisher=[[Keskisuomalainen]] |access-date=9 August 2021 |archive-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411232136/https://www.ksml.fi/kulttuuri/Kirja-arvio-Marginaaliset-mellastajat/1096708 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/201801182200677781 |title= Okkultistinen "valtakunnanjohtaja" seurasi lukiolaisten pommi-iskuja – tällainen on Suomen äärioikeiston historia |author= Muurinen, Juha |publisher= [[Iltalehti]] |access-date= 9 August 2021 |archive-date= 4 November 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211104214732/https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/201801182200677781 |url-status= live }}</ref> Member of the [[Nordic Realm Party]] Seppo Seluska was convicted of the torture and murder of a gay Jewish person.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Maestre|first=Antonio|author-link=Antonio Maestre|date=26 November 2019|title=Nadia es nuestra Danuta|url=https://www.lasexta.com/el-muro/antonio-maestre/nadia-nuestra-danuta_201911265ddcef480cf2ab850a60192c.html|work=[[LaSexta]]|language=es|access-date=9 August 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923100242/https://www.lasexta.com/el-muro/antonio-maestre/nadia-nuestra-danuta_201911265ddcef480cf2ab850a60192c.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Pienszka|first=Magdalena|date=13 April 2020|title=Kobieta z torebką atakuje skinheada. Za legendarnym zdjęciem stoi smutna historia|url=https://ksiazki.wp.pl/kobieta-z-torebka-atakuje-skinheada-za-legendarnym-zdjeciem-stoi-smutna-historia-6499560997025921a|work=[[WP (Polish TV channel)|WP Ksiazki]]|language=pl|access-date=9 August 2021|archive-date=10 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610071451/https://ksiazki.wp.pl/kobieta-z-torebka-atakuje-skinheada-za-legendarnym-zdjeciem-stoi-smutna-historia-6499560997025921a|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Previdelli|first=Fabio|date=2 May 2020|title=Muito além da foto: Danuta Danielsson, a mulher que deu bolsada em um neonazista|url=https://aventurasnahistoria.uol.com.br/noticias/reportagem/muito-alem-da-foto-danuta-danielsson-a-mulher-que-deu-bolsada-em-um-neonazista.phtml|work=Aventuras na História|language=pt-br|access-date=9 August 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023174705/https://aventurasnahistoria.uol.com.br/noticias/reportagem/muito-alem-da-foto-danuta-danielsson-a-mulher-que-deu-bolsada-em-um-neonazista.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

The skinhead culture gained momentum during the late 1980s and peaked during the late 1990s. In 1991, Finland received a number of Somali immigrants who became the main target of Finnish skinhead violence in the following years, including four attacks using explosives and a racist murder. Asylum seeker centres were attacked, in [[Joensuu]] skinheads would force their way into an asylum seeker centre and start shooting with shotguns. At worst Somalis were assaulted by 50 skinheads at the same time.<ref>[https://www.hs.fi/elama/a1381948605154 Seitsemän vuotta uusnatsina] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308084006/https://www.hs.fi/elama/a1381948605154 |date=8 March 2016 }} Helsingin sanomat 17.10.2013</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.duo.uio.no/bitstream/handle/10852/64981/Ravndal_with+title+page.pdf?sequence=2|title=Right-Wing Terrorism and Militancy in the Nordic Countries: A Comparative Case Study|publisher=[[University of Oslo]] Center for Research on Extremism|access-date=5 November 2020|quote=One particularly severe episode happened in 1997, when a group of about 50 skinheads attacked Somali youths playing football in the Helsinki suburb Kontula. The violence did not stop before the police started shooting warning shots, and 22 skinheads were sentenced for the attack. Pekonen et al. also mention a number of other violent events from the 1990s, including ten particularly severe events from 1995 (not included in the RTV dataset because sufficient event details are lacking): a racist murder, an immigrant stabbed by a skinhead, four attacks on immigrants using explosives, and another four immigrants beaten severely.|archive-date=26 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326170854/https://www.duo.uio.no/bitstream/handle/10852/64981/Ravndal_with+title+page.pdf?sequence=2|url-status=live}}</ref>

The most prominent neo-Nazi group is the [[Nordic Resistance Movement]], which is tied to multiple murders, attempted murders and assaults of political enemies was found in 2006 and proscribed in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/extreme_right_radicals_seeking_more_visible_presence_in_finland/6478162|title=Extreme right radicals seeking more visible presence in Finland|date=2 February 2013|publisher=[[Finnish Broadcasting Company]]|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=5 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505122827/https://yle.fi/uutiset/extreme_right_radicals_seeking_more_visible_presence_in_finland/6478162|url-status=live}}</ref> The second biggest Finnish party, the [[Finns Party]] politicians have frequently supported far-right and neo-Nazi movements such as the Finnish Defense League, Soldiers of Odin, Nordic Resistance Movement, Rajat Kiinni (Close the Borders), and Suomi Ensin (Finland First).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/factsheet-the-finns-party/ |title=FACTSHEET: THE FINNS PARTY |website=Bridge Initiative |publisher=Georgetown University |access-date=9 August 2021 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122025209/https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/factsheet-the-finns-party/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 1990s and 2000s, before the breakthrough of the Finns Party, a few neo-Nazi candidates enjoyed success, like Janne Kujala of [[Finland - Fatherland]] (founded as Aryan Germanic Brotherhood) and [[Jouni Lanamäki]] who was previously associated with the [[Nordic Reich Party]].<ref name="hs2017">Juho Jokinen: [https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/art-2000005394328.html Jouni Lanamäki kuohutti 1990-luvulla rasismilla, vetäytyi julkisuudesta ja loi kaikessa hiljaisuudessa karaokebaarien imperiumin Helsinkiin – Nyt hän avaa suunsa 25 vuoden jälkeen] (vain tilaajille) Helsingin Sanomat 4.10.2017.</ref><ref>[[Turun Sanomat]], [https://www.ts.fi/uutiset/1074034457 Suomi-Isänmaalle ensimmäinen valtuutettu], 30.3.2005</ref> Pekka Siitoin of the [[National Democratic Party (Finland)|National Democratic Party]] was the fifth most popular candidate in [[Naantali]] city council elections.<ref>Pohjola, Mike (toim.): Mitä Pekka Siitoin tarkoittaa? Savukeidas, 2015. ISBN 978-952-268-155-3 p. 79</ref>

The NRM, Finns party and other far-right nationalist parties organize an [[612 march|annual torch march demonstration]] in Helsinki in memory of the Finnish SS-battalion on the [[Independence Day (Finland)|Finnish independence day]] which ends at the [[Hietaniemi cemetery]] where members visit the tomb of [[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim]] and the monument to the Finnish SS Battalion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/427922/neo-nazis-marching-on-the-streets-in-european-cities-despite-eu-bans|title=Neo-Nazis marching on the streets in European cities despite EU bans|quote=Helsinki, Finland, 'Towards Freedom' and '612 for freedom' march' in memory of the Finnish SS-battalion which fought with Nazi Germany|date=28 March 2023|work=[[Brussels Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bnaibrith.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AnnualMarchesGlorifyingNazism_Z105c.pdf|title=On Europe's Streets:Annual Marches Glorifying Nazism|quote=The main organizers and guests of the event have been drawn from either non-party-affiliated far-right-activists or members of the right-wing populist Finns Party (Perussuomalaiset), its youth organization Finns Party Youth (Perussuomalaiset Nuoret)...the 612-march is a torchlight procession from central Helsinki to the Hietaniemi war cemetery, where members visit the tomb of World War II-era President Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim and the monument to the Finnish SS-Battalion. There are speeches at both the assembly point and at the cemetery, eulogizing the Battle for Helsinki, depicted by speakers as the occasion "when Germans and Finns marched side by side and liberated the city from the communists."|date=25 March 2023|work=[[B'nai B'rith]], [[Amadeu Antonio Foundation]], [[Federal Foreign Office]]}}</ref> The event is protested by antifascists, leading to counterdemonstrators being violently assaulted by NRM members who act as security. The demonstration attracts close to 3,000 participants according to the estimates of the police and hundreds of officers patrol Helsinki to prevent violent clashes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/art-2000006334051.html?share=f6b9cc465a58c4b97bd69ce71733f9eb|title=Äärioikeistolaisten hihamerkit ja anarkistiliput vilahtelivat Helsingissä, kun tuhannet marssivat itsenäisyyspäivän mielenosoituksissa – Poliisi otti kiinni 13 ihmistä|publisher=[[Helsingin Sanomat]]|date=7 October 2020|access-date=9 August 2021|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104213300/https://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/art-2000006334051.html?share=f6b9cc465a58c4b97bd69ce71733f9eb|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/201712082200589810|title=Pohjoismainen vastarintaliike joukkonujakassa itsenäisyyspäivänä – uusnatsit naureskelivat väkivallalle: "Hauskaa!"|publisher=[[Iltasanomat]]|date=7 October 2020|access-date=9 August 2021|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019223439/https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/201712082200589810|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="holappa">{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2016/05/15/nain-toimii-suomen-vastarintaliike|title=Näin toimii Suomen Vastarintaliike|date=15 May 2016 |publisher=[[Yle]]|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923224412/https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2016/05/15/nain-toimii-suomen-vastarintaliike|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/a/3-10535875|work=[[Yleisradio]]|title=Finnish neo-Nazi group diversifies, seeks alliances as ban closes in|date=21 September 2024|quote=Last year's right-wing 612 torchlight procession on Independence Day attracted about 3,000 people.}}</ref>