A prosecutor has charged Jari Venäläinen, a K-store owner in Kontiolahti, with discrimination for allegedly instructing his employees not to serve Roma customers. The charges stem from an incident that took place in February 2024, where a seller refused service to a Roma woman seeking to purchase an energy drink, claiming that she might have had a ban against entering the store. This incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of discrimination against marginalized communities in Finland.

The prosecutor's case argues that there is clear evidence of discrimination, stating that the employee's refusal to serve the woman was based solely on her ethnicity, rather than any disruptive behavior. The prosecutor, Antti Kolehmainen, emphasizes that following an employer's orders does not exempt individuals from criminal responsibility. This reflects a growing scrutiny on discriminatory practices in Finnish businesses and highlights the responsibility of owners to ensure all customers are treated equally.

Both the store owner and the employee deny any wrongdoing. This case comes at a time when issues of racism and discrimination are increasingly being addressed in Finnish society, prompting discussions around social responsibility and the legal obligation to combat discrimination in commercial settings. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for future discrimination cases in Finland and may influence how businesses approach their policies regarding customers of diverse backgrounds.