Finnish Official Uses 'Turkish Monkeys' Expression, Apologizes

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Finland, Riikka Purra, has apologized for comments she made on various social media platforms 15 years ago that have recently come to light. This was reported by Ermenihaber.

According to BBC, Purra made the remark in 2008. In one of the comments, she specifically stated, 'If I were given a gun, the suburban train would be filled with corpses,' referring to immigrants she encountered on public transportation. Additionally, Purra had used the expression 'Turkish monkeys.'

Previously, Purra did not confirm that the comments were hers. However, she emphasized in her Twitter message that the remarks are 15 years old, made before she even entered politics, and that it is 'nonsense.' 'I would not write such a thing at this age and in this position. I am not a perfect person; I have made mistakes. However, I do not accept any form of violence, racism, or discrimination,' she stated.

It should be noted that last month, a right-wing coalition government was formed in Finland following parliamentary elections, in which Purra's far-right party, the Finns Party, also participated.