In a unanimous ruling the court concluded that “it is not for the district court to interpret biblical concepts”. The prosecution was ordered to pay more than €60,000 in legal costs and has seven days to appeal the ruling.

The former minister of the interior had been charged with “hate speech” for sharing her faith-based views on marriage and sexual ethics, in a 2019 tweet, a 2019 radio debate, and a 2004 pamphlet.

The bishop faced charges for publishing Räsänen’s pamphlet for his congregation over 17 years ago. Their case has garnered global media attention this year, as human rights experts voiced concern over the threat this case posed to free speech in Finland.

“I am so grateful the court recognized the threat to free speech and ruled in our favour. I feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders after being acquitted. Although I am grateful for having had this chance to stand up for freedom of speech, I hope that this ruling will help prevent others from having to go through the same ordeal,” said Ms Räsänen after her victory.

Her defence, supported by the legal advocacy organization ADF International, argued that finding Ms Räsänen guilty would significantly damage free speech in Finland. What Ms Räsänen said, they argued, was an expression of Christian teaching.

The court recognised that while some may object to Ms Räsänen’s statements, “there must be an overriding social reason for interfering with and restricting freedom of expression”. It concluded there was no such justification.