Although the ministry’s reply stated that the consular employee had fulfilled his duty by helping Finnish citizens in distress, the ministry said his actions were not exemplary.
The ministry highlighted that the consular official had acted without guidance from the ministry. The man had not reported his plans to his superiors in St. Petersburg or to ministry headquarters in Helsinki.
A year ago, the boy was taken to Russia by his Russian mother.
In its reply, the ministry added that it hopes Russia would consider signing the Hague Child Abduction Convention, as this would help resolve child custody disputes.
