Helsinki District Court cleared two police officers from Lahti on Monday of charges related to actions taken in the aftermath of rioting during the Asia Europe Meeting held in Helsinki in September 2006. The police were accused of assault and abuse of authority.
The alleged assault took place after the "Smash Asem" protests turned violent.
The plaintiff had been detained by police in the centre of Helsinki after he had kicked a bicycle. The man was detained by three police officers from Lahti who had been called to Helsinki as reinforcements to secure the ASEM gathering.
The defendants were not the ones who detained the man. However, they transported him to the police lock-up at the Töölö Sports Arena.
The plaintiff said that one of the officers hit him several times with a club in front of the arena. A doctors' statement on the injuries suffered by the man was presented as evidence.
The man's account of how the injuries occurred that he presented at the trial differed somewhat from what he had said during the initial investigation.
The court pointed out in its decision that the plaintiff's observational skills were impaired by a strong state of intoxication, and therefore it could not take his claim that the police would have beaten him during transport at face value.
The court found that the injuries could have been sustained as he was being detained, or when he tried to kick and throw the bicycle.
The prosecution called for a the imposition of a suspended prison sentence, or a severe fine for the police.
The plaintiff demanded damages of EUR 3,000 for pain and suffering.
The court rejected the call for compensation.
