Chancellor of Justice says officials acted properly in Finnish-US custody case

Return of Rogers boys to father seen to have taken place legally

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Finland's Chancellor of Justice Paavo Nikula says that Finnish officials did not violate the law in connection with an international custody dispute when two boys, Alexander and Jacob Rogers were returned to their American father John Rogers.
      The boys' Finnish mother Outi Koski and another person filed a complaint with the office of the Chancellor of Justice concerning the circumstances surrounding events of 2004 when they were returned to their father, who had been granted custody by an American court.
      Nikula found that contrary to allegations in the complaint, the boys were not tormented or pressured by Finnish officials.
      According to the complaint, it was wrong to send the two children back against their will, and without taking their views into consideration.
      Nikula points out in his decision that the views of the boys were ascertained, and that the officials were aware of what their feelings were.
      According to reports, the two had contradictory feelings about the situation. The brothers had been against going back to the United States, but on the other hand they were ready and interested in going there.
     
Nikula feels that officials, including the head bailiff of Espoo, police, two city psychiatrists, a psychologist, and social workers, all acted according to law and did not neglect their official duties.
      However, Nikula did feel that the eight hours that the process took was longer than it should have been.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Espoo boys go home - to Greenville - for Christmas (24.12.2005)
  Father takes Jacob and Alexander Rogers back to USA (23.12.2006)
  Supreme Court rules for father in final decision in international custody case (21.12.2004)
  Finnish-American child custody case to go back to Supreme Court (9.12.2004)

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