Suspected child abductor Rimma Salonen released, banned from travel

Salonen case sparks considerable media interest in Russia

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Rimma Salonen, the mother of Anton Salonen, the centre of an international child custody dispute, was released from custody in Tampere on Monday.
     She had been detained on Friday soon after arriving in Finland, pursuant to a remand order dating back to the summer of 2008.
     
In March 2008 Mrs. Salonen travelled to Russia with five-year-old Anton. She had told her husband that the visit was for a holiday, but the two never returned to Finland.
     Over a year later, in May this year, Anton’s father Paavo Salonen smuggled his son back to Finland with the help of an employee of the Finnish Consulate General in St. Petersburg.
     
Police will soon complete their preliminary investigation into the case, after which prosecutors will consider if charges should be filed.
     The deadline for an indictment is September 15th. The mother could face charges of child abduction and deprivation of freedom.
     
Salonen’s lawyer Heikki Lampela insisted that Salonen not be remanded, saying that there was no danger that she would flee the jurisdiction before a trial.
     Paavo Salonen had said during the weekend that he did not oppose his ex-wife's release.
     
The Salonen case has sparked considerable media interest in Russia.
     The latest turn of events has been noted, and Monday’s court hearing was covered by four Russian television channels.
     
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Finnish charge d’affaires for discussions on the case.
     The ministry also published a statement on its website expressing concern over Rimma Salonen’s detention.
     The head of the police investigation, Juha Myllymäki, said that Rimma Salonen was detained in Helsinki after arriving in Finland voluntarily.
     Her lawyer Heikki Lampela said that Mrs. Salonen had been surprised that she was detained.
     He also praised the police for not asking that she be remanded.
     
Lampela said that the mother had come to Finland because she wanted to live near Anton and her other son, who is 19 years old and lives in Tampere.
     He also expects the mother to be allowed to meet Anton, as the father is agreeable to the idea.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Something had to be done, says diplomat who brought abducted boy back to Finland (22.5.2009)
  Child abduction case prompts ministerial-level altercation between Finland and Russia (18.5.2009)
  Russian mother in international child abduction case back in Finland (3.8.2009)
  NBI to investigate smuggling of Anton Salonen into Finland (16.6.2009)
  Finland replies to Russiás diplomatic note over Anton custody dispute (29.5.2009)

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