Media reports Finland prohibiting Russian-born kid from school tour of nuclear plant

(MENAFN) A Finnish high school student, identified as Dima, was barred from a field trip to Finland's largest nuclear power plant, Olkiluoto, due to his Russian birthplace, according to media reports. The exclusion occurred in November, and the child's mother, Anastasia, expressed outrage over what she deemed discriminatory treatment.

Dima, who holds dual Finnish and Russian citizenship, received a message from the school stating that he was prohibited from participating in the tour due to "corporate security and the current world situation," referencing his Russian origin. The message cited a strict security policy that excluded Russian and Belarusian citizens from visiting certain areas of the facility, which is owned by Teollisuuden Voima.

Dima's mother criticized the decision, questioning how a child could be considered a security threat or a spy. She also called the policy "racist, absurd, and illegal." The Olkiluoto plant confirmed the policy but did not elaborate on the reasoning behind it. The incident has raised concerns about discrimination, particularly in the context of Finland's deteriorating relations with Russia since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict.

Relations between Finland and Russia have significantly worsened, especially after Finland joined NATO in April 2023, abandoning its long-standing neutrality. The exclusion of Russian-born individuals in Finland, like the incident with Dima, has sparked a broader debate about the treatment of Russian nationals amid the ongoing conflict.

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