Finnish MP Ben Ciuskovic, who is running for the Coalition Party again, was attacked on Saturday at the Itäkeskus metro station in Helsinki.
About this, as he writesEuropean truth“, according to the broadcaster Yle.
The politician was waiting for the train when a man who approached him began to threaten him with murder. He punched Tsyukovich in the face and ran away.
In a reader video published by Iltalehti newspaper, a man in dark clothing can be seen running after Ciuskovic and pushing him.
The deputy rushed to catch up with the man, but he knocked him to the ground. The guards took the attacker into custody.
“He had a clear political motive. He insulted me for being a supporter of NATO and for being a Jew,” says Tsyuskovich.
The politician had wounds on his hands and knees. He said that he filed a police report about the assault and illegal threats.
Helsinki police said they have launched a criminal investigation into the attack.
The police also said on Twitter that they detained one person on suspicion of assault. The case is now being investigated as an assault and unlawful threats.
Tsyuskovich is running for parliament from the metropolitan constituency. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1979.
Coalition Party chairman Petteri Orpo tweeted that the party was “shocked and outraged” by the attack on Ciuskovic.
“Fortunately, Ben is physically fine. This attack is extremely serious during the pre-election period, and we strongly condemn this persecution. The free running of candidates is the foundation of our democracy,” Orpo said.
President Sauli Niinistjo also condemned the attack on Ciuskovic.
“Cowardly attack. Hatred, threats, and even more violence during campaign work is also an insult to democracy,” the president tweeted.
As reported, the opposition National Coalition Party of Finland lead by a small margin among voters on the eve of the April 2 parliamentary elections.
