Mother files criminal complaint in Finnish-American child custody case

print this

Outi Koski, who had hidden out with her two sons in the Kainuu region for a month, filed a criminal complaint yesterday over actions taken by officials when the boys, aged 10 and 13, were apprehended on Wednesday. She is asking for a police investigation into what she sees as violent action used by the bailiff, social welfare authorities, police, and a doctor.
      Koski also called for the suspension her sons' return to their American father.
      The two boys were taken from their hiding place on a farm in Ristijärvi in Kainuu on Wednesday evening. A doctor who took part in the operation ordered that the two be put into psychiatric care.
      Interior Minister Kari Rajamäki (SDP) said in a television news broadcast that he would order an investigation into the actions of the Kajaani police in the situation.
     
At a press conference organised in Kajaani by Outi Koski and her supporters, Koski complained that the police had violently pulled her screaming and crying children along the floor, and that they were put into the car without shoes or outdoor clothing.
      The police chief of Kajaani admits that force was used against the mother, but says that the boys walked to the car on their own.
      Koski said that she would like to know if Minister of Justice Johannes Koskinen (SDP) felt that the authorities had followed the rules under which actions affecting children should be implemented as gently as possible without causing distress.
      Koskinen did not wish to comment on the matter on Thursday, but he noted that the decision of the Supreme Court is binding.
     
"All parties should now see to it that the lives of the children are returned to normal, after which it will be possible to continue hearing their views. The children's state of health should be established, and means of implementation should be sought that would not shock the children and cause them more harm", Koskinen said.
      He also emphasised that the children have a right to both a mother and a father.
     
The case dates back to 1999 when Outi Koski and US citizen John Rogers agreed on joint custody of their two sons as part of their divorce settlement. At first the boys lived mainly with their mother, and later with their father.
      In the summer of 2003 the mother and her sons came to Finland for a holiday and did not return.
      A court in the United States granted the father sole custody. In March this year the father abducted the children, but a French court returned them to Finland.
      The Helsinki Court of Appeals decided to allow the boys to remain in Finland, because they did not want to go back to their father. The Supreme Court overturned the decision in August, noting that under the terms of The Hague Treaty, the children should be returned to the United States pending the handling of the custody case.
      The boys were found at a farm owned by Pekka Turpeinen, CEO of the local radio station Radio Kajaus.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Boys at centre of custody dispute apprehended at remote farm (21.10.2004)

Helsingin Sanomat