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Roundup: Finnish politicians condemn terrorism after Berlin attack

Xinhua, December 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Finland's leading politicians condemned terrorism and expressed condolences to families of the victims who died in the Berlin truck attack that happened on Monday evening.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto issued a statement late on Monday, conveying his condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.

"It is clear that this was a deliberate action," said Niinisto, claiming that Finland strongly condemns terrorism.

Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila sent a message to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday to express his condolences and condemned the attack on behalf of the Finnish government.

"My deepest sympathies go to the families and friends of the victims and to the people of Germany. We stand together in the fight against terrorism," Sipila said in a statement.

Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Timo Soini told Finnish national broadcaster Yle on Tuesday that he was shocked by the incident. He believed that the nature of the case was similar to what took place in Nice, France earlier in July this year.

Soini also condemned the violence targeting Russian Ambassador to Turkey, noting that the events of the last 24 hours point to increasing tensions.

"Unfortunately we are in great difficulty, the entire global community and Europe as well, because of these situations," he was cited by Yle as saying.

The foreign minister warned that the tensions will affect Finland indirectly.

On Monday evening, a truck ploughed into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin, leaving at least 12 people dead and some 50 injured.

In the same evening, Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov was shot dead at the opening ceremony of an art exhibition in Ankara. Endit