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{{Short description|Finnish political |
{{Short description|Finnish political activist, propagandist, and author}} | ||
{{for|the Finnish painter|Johan Backman (painter)}} | {{for|the Finnish painter|Johan Backman (painter)}} | ||
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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}} | ||
{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
|name = Johan Bäckman | | name = Johan Bäckman | ||
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| image = Johan Bäckman 2012 cropped.jpg | ||
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| caption = Bäckman in 2012 | ||
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|05|18|df=yes}} | |||
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| birth_place = ], Finland<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hs.fi/english/article/1135262175882/ | title=Johan Bäckman: the Russian media's favourite Finn | work=] | date=5 December 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607131352/https://www.hs.fi/english/article/1135262175882/ | access-date=26 July 2022 | archive-date=7 June 2014 }}</ref> | |||
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|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|05|18|df=yes}} | |||
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| citizenship = Finland, Russia (since 2024) | |||
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| alma_mater = ] | |||
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| known_for = Pro-Russian agenda, anti-Western propaganda<ref name="hs-apoligises"/><ref name=Salovaara/><ref name="Yle_Jul2022"/> | |||
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|known_for = Controversial views, pro-Russian statements, criticism of the Estonian government<ref name="hs-apoligises"/> | |||
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'''Erkki Johan Bäckman''' (born 18 May 1971) is a Finnish and Russian<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-10-21 |title=Venäjä-mielinen dosentti Johan Bäckman sai Venäjän kansalaisuuden Putinin asetuksella |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20119272?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=yleuutiset |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Yle Uutiset |language=fi}}</ref> political activist, propagandist, author, eurosceptic,{{r|Salovaara}} and convicted stalker<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12323858 | title=Bäckman receives suspended sentence for stalking Yle reporter | date=18 February 2022 }}</ref> working for the Russian government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://upnorth.eu/the-kremlins-voice-johan-backman/|title=The Kremlin's Voice: Johan Bäckman|work=UpNorth|date=13 September 2016|access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=Salovaara>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hs.fi/sunnuntai/art-2000008893252.html |title=Venäjän uskollinen mediasoturi |trans-title=Russia's loyal media warrior |date=10 July 2022 |access-date=21 July 2022 |website=] |language=fi}}</ref><ref name="Yle_Jul2022">{{Cite web |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12043017/64-3-91569 |title=HS: Aineisto todistaa Johan Bäckmanin pyrkimykset Suomen mustamaalaamiseksi Venäjällä |trans-title=HS: The material proves Johan Bäckman's efforts to defame Finland in Russia |date=10 July 2022 |access-date=21 July 2022 |website=] |language=fi}}</ref> Bäckman has been a prominent Finnish propagandist in Russia who has actively participated in long-standing operations to propagate anti-Finnish and anti-Western ].<ref name=Salovaara/><ref name="Yle_Jul2022"/> | |||
'''Erkki Johan Bäckman''' (born 18 May 1971) is a ] political activist, author and ] working for the Russian Government. In Russia he is also considered{{by whom|date=April 2020}} a ].{{clarify|date=April 2020}} He has been active in relation to Russian citizens' child custody rights abroad, and is regularly interviewed by the Russian media as a child custody expert. Bäckman has contentious views about Estonia, Latvia and Ukraine, and has been declared ]<ref name=banned/> and denied entry into Estonia, and has been expelled from Moldova. | |||
Bäckman' |
Bäckman has contentious views about ], ] and ], and has been declared '']''<ref name=banned/> and denied entry into Estonia, and has been expelled from ]. His books have been the subject of debate about ] during the ], the war history of Finland and the Soviet Union, ] in Estonia and the ], terrorism, and the ]. As a proclaimed spokesman for the ], he is against the ] of Estonia and Latvia, claiming they are "] polities". On the whole, he does not recognize Estonia and Latvia as states.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} | ||
Bäckman has supported Russia in the ]. During the ] he has given statements to Russian media about the anti-Russian sentiment of the ] and ]. Bäckman has also claimed that Ukraine as a nation does not exist.<ref name=Salovaara/> Bäckman is also a member of the pro-Russian '']'' party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2023 |title=VKK-puolue yrittää saada dosentti Johan Bäckmanin eduskuntaan |url=https://demokraatti.fi/vkk-puolue-yrittaa-saada-dosentti-johan-backmanin-eduskuntaan/ |access-date=30 March 2023 |website=demokraatti.fi |language=fi}}</ref> | |||
Bäckman has a title of a ] in ] and in criminology, and has previously taught courses on the sociology of law, criminology, and Russian studies in several Finnish universities. He has a background in music and became a public figure in the late 1980s then participating in EBU Young Soloists Competition. | |||
== |
== Russia == | ||
Bäckman is highly critical of the modern Finnish historiography of ] and challenges the traditional Western account that Finland waged a separate ] against the aggression of the USSR. According to Bäckman, the Finns participated in the ] actively and asked ] to destroy the city. He speculates that Finland also planned an ] in ] in order to create a ] superpower (]), possibly stretching as far as ], or even to the river ], which he claimed is proven by vast amounts of documents and in several Finnish history books by ], ] and Nikolai Baryshnikov.<ref name="sptimes.ru"/> | |||
Bäckman has been a notable Finnish propagandist in Russia who has actively been involved in long-term operations to propagate anti-Finnish and anti-Western propaganda in Russia. His activity was tracked and reported by '']'' as part of an international investigative journalism collaboration project. The project was coordinated by ], a network of journalists specializing in crime and corruption, and ] organization.<ref name=Salovaara/><ref name="Yle_Jul2022"/> | |||
Bäckman accuses Finland of being the aggressor in World War II: that it allied with Hitler in attacking the USSR in 1941 (])—omitting the original source conflict (]); plotted territorial expansion and planned to conduct ethnic cleansing; and that, along with the Estonians and Germans, believed in its Aryan origins (a Nordic master race). He contends Finns are both anti-Semitic and Russophobic, Russophobia being a "racist political ideology"—both per "several academic works by Finnish authors."<ref>Bäckman, J. "The Janša-Patria Case (or Chase): A Challenge for Mediacriminology"—Primer Janša-Patria (lov na čarovnice): izziv za kriminologijo medijev</ref> | |||
As revealed by the project, Bäckman has for years provided the Russian state radio and television company ] with news material defaming Finland and other Western countries. VGTRK is the ]'s most important propaganda and disinformation disseminator which controls all of Russia's largest radio and television channels. Former Finnish Ambassador to Russia ] believes that Bäckman works as part of a global propaganda and disinformation network built by Russia.<ref name=Salovaara/><ref name="Yle_Jul2022"/> | |||
In 2002, Bäckman publicly accused the ] of ] and racism. He claimed that the ministry was preparing a campaign to smear Russia and return the territories lost in the ].<ref>{{in lang|ru}} . Gov.karelia.ru. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> | |||
Bäckman has frequently travelled to Russia since 1993,<ref name="politika-karelia.ru">{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.politika-karelia.ru/cgi-bin/articles_print.cgi?id=32 |date=* |title=Выродившаяся нация, у которой нет будущего}}</ref> and is fluent in ]. In 2000, he established a publishing institution named the ''Johan Beckman{{sic}} Institute'' in ].<ref>Publication index of Johan Beckman Institute http://www.ruslania.com/language-4/entity-1/context-289/publisher-1039.html {{ill|Ruslania|fi}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928002737/http://www.ruslania.com/language-4/entity-1/context-289/publisher-1039.html |date=28 September 2007}}</ref> | Bäckman has frequently travelled to Russia since 1993,<ref name="politika-karelia.ru">{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.politika-karelia.ru/cgi-bin/articles_print.cgi?id=32 |date=* |title=Выродившаяся нация, у которой нет будущего}}</ref> and is fluent in ]. In 2000, he established a publishing institution named the ''Johan Beckman{{sic}} Institute'' in ].<ref>Publication index of Johan Beckman Institute http://www.ruslania.com/language-4/entity-1/context-289/publisher-1039.html {{ill|Ruslania|fi}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928002737/http://www.ruslania.com/language-4/entity-1/context-289/publisher-1039.html |date=28 September 2007}}</ref> | ||
In March 2002, during a military historical festival in ] in the ] which was dedicated to the 62nd anniversary of the end of the ], Bäckman made a sensational claim that the modern authorities of Finland propagated the idea that the Russian people are genetically inferior and expected Russia to collapse in about twenty years.<ref name="politika-karelia.ru"/><ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.rep.ru/20Mar2002/society/01.html |date=* |title=РУССКИЕ ЛЮДИ ГЕНЕТИЧЕСКИ НЕПОЛНОЦЕННЫЕ?}}</ref> The other participants at the festival considered that he unreasonably overestimated the extent of ] in Finland.<ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.rep.ru/10Apr2002/society/02.html |date=* |title=ВОЗМОЖНО, У ЙОХАНА БЭКМАНА НЕТ ЧУВСТВА ЮМОРА?}}</ref> According to Bäckman's article "Finland without a mask" (the title alludes to a 1943 proclamation by ]), published in Russian in May 2002, the Finns in general consider themselves a superior nation, all Russian women prostitutes, and all Russian men thieves and bandits.<ref>. Whiteworld.ns-info.ru. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> During 2002, Bäckman gained an odious reputation both in Russia and among his Finnish colleagues.<ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.politika-karelia.ru/shtml/article.shtml?id=28 |date=* |title=Поколение новое - предрассудки старые}}</ref> | |||
In 2003, Johan Beckman Institute published the book ''Finland and the Siege of Leningrad 1941-1944'' by the Russian historian ]. The ] awarded Bäckman their ''Marshal Govorov Literature Prize'' (2003) for the book. Historian ], a historian at the University of Helsinki described it as "a book built on ] propaganda stereotypes". Vihavainen also said that Baryshnikov had misunderstood some of the language in Finnish archive documents.<ref name="sptimes.ru">. Sptimes.ru. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> Bäckman and Baryshnikov threatened to sue Vihavainen. | |||
According to Finnish newspaper '']'', Johan Bäckman was a talented researcher in ] in the early 2000s, who has since "marginalized" himself in Finland.<ref>{{cite news |title=Maailman paras maa |first=Jussi |last=Konttinen |url=http://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/artikkeli/Putin-nuoret+rinnastavat+suomalaistuomarin+natseihin/1135258810533 |newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat |date=25 June 2010 |pages=C4–C5 |language=fi |quote =only a part of the article is in the web.}}</ref> | |||
Bäckman serves ] (RISS) as representative in Northern Europe. RISS is a Russian state funded research group led by a former Soviet intelligence officer.<ref Name="nyt"/> | Bäckman serves ] (RISS) as representative in Northern Europe. RISS is a Russian state funded research group led by a former Soviet intelligence officer.<ref Name="nyt"/> | ||
On 21 October 2024 Bäckman got Russian citizenship.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
=== Bäckman's views of Vladimir Putin === | |||
=== Opinion of Vladimir Putin === | |||
] ''Finland washed with Anna Politkovskaya's blood'', Bäckman accuses the Finnish media of anti-Russian and anti-Putin sentiment.<ref name="hs-greemp" />]] | |||
In his 2007 book ''Finland washed with Anna Politkovskaya's blood'' ({{lang-fi|Saatana saapuu Helsinkiin}}, Literally: ''Satan Arrives in Helsinki'', which alludes to ''Saatana saapuu Moskovaan'', the Finnish language title for '']'' by ]) he supported the conspiracy theory that ] was organized as an attempt to smear the Russian president ].<ref name=den/> Bäckman has hinted that Politkovskaya was depressed and ordered her own murder. According to Bäckman, Politkovskaya, a Russian writer and human rights activist, was an American agent. He also criticizes Finns' reaction to the murder. Bäckman accused Finnish ] politician ] and the Finnish media of inciting hatred towards Russia and Vladimir Putin. Hautala, depicted on the book cover (''pictured''), saw this as a ], but refused to take legal action, preferring to allow the book to speak for itself.<ref name="hs-greemp">. Hs.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> | |||
In his 2007 book ''Finland Washed with Anna Politkovskaya's Blood'' ({{langx|fi|Saatana saapuu Helsinkiin}}, Literally: ''Satan Arrives in Helsinki'', which alludes to ''Saatana saapuu Moskovaan'', the Finnish language title for '']'' by ]) he supported the conspiracy theory that ] was organized as an attempt to smear the Russian president ].<ref name=den/> Bäckman has hinted that Politkovskaya was depressed and ordered her own murder. According to Bäckman, Politkovskaya, a Russian writer and human rights activist, was an American agent. He also criticizes Finns' reaction to the murder. Bäckman accused Finnish ] politician ] and the Finnish media of inciting hatred towards Russia and Vladimir Putin. Hautala, depicted on the book cover, saw this as a ], but refused to take legal action, preferring to allow the book to speak for itself.<ref>. Hs.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> | |||
Bäckman admires Vladmir Putin, crediting all recent successes of Russia to Putin's personality and health.<ref name="apn fsb">. Apn-spb.ru. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref><ref name="apn amour">. Apn-spb.ru. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> He has compared Putin to Cold War-era Finnish president ], and claimed he wishes Putin would likewise rule Russia for 26 years. He stated that Finland also needs organizations such as the pro-Kremlin ] and ].<ref name="apn fsb"/> According to Bäckman, the ] is considerably higher than in Finland, and Estonia is not free at all.<ref name="apn fsb"/> | |||
Bäckman admires Vladimir Putin, crediting all recent successes of Russia to Putin's personality and health.<ref name="apn fsb">. Apn-spb.ru. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref><ref name="apn amour">. Apn-spb.ru. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> He has compared Putin to Cold War-era Finnish president ], and claimed he wishes Putin would likewise rule Russia for 26 years. He stated that Finland also needs organizations such as the pro-Kremlin ] and ].<ref name="apn fsb"/> According to Bäckman, the ] is considerably higher than in Finland, and Estonia is not free at all.<ref name="apn fsb"/> | |||
===Bäckman in Russian media=== | |||
=== In Russian media === | |||
According to Finnish Academy chairman ], Dr. Bäckman is five times more visible in the Russian media than previous Finnish premier ] or previous president ]. According to Mustajoki, Russians treat Bäckman as "hero" because he defends Russian minorities in the Baltic States.<ref>Yliopisto No. 1/2013, p. 42</ref> | |||
In a 2013 interview, the Finnish Academy chairman Arto Mustajoki said that Bäckman is five times more visible in the Russian media than then-Finnish Premier ] or then-President ]. According to Mustajoki, Russians treat Bäckman as a "hero" because he defends Russian minorities in the Baltic States.<ref>Yliopisto No. 1/2013, p. 42</ref> | |||
== Bäckman and Estonia == | |||
== Estonia == | |||
Bäckman's work has been published in Finland and Estonia. Many of his published opinions are provocative and some have been regarded as pro-Putin and ] by commentators in the Estonian press.<ref>] 23 February 2009 12:43: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326041018/http://www.ekspress.ee/2009/03/23/eesti-uudised/40505-raige-eesti-vastane-kampaania-kaib-kolmes-riigis-korraga |date=26 March 2009}}, edited by Askur Alas</ref> Bäckman has stated that Estonia "does not exist" as a sovereign state.<ref>ves.lv 6 March 2009 13:02: , interview by ]</ref> | Bäckman's work has been published in Finland and Estonia. Many of his published opinions are provocative and some have been regarded as pro-Putin and ] by commentators in the Estonian press.<ref>] 23 February 2009 12:43: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326041018/http://www.ekspress.ee/2009/03/23/eesti-uudised/40505-raige-eesti-vastane-kampaania-kaib-kolmes-riigis-korraga |date=26 March 2009}}, edited by Askur Alas</ref> Bäckman has stated that Estonia "does not exist" as a sovereign state.<ref>ves.lv 6 March 2009 13:02: , interview by ]</ref> | ||
Line 74: | Line 52: | ||
According to Bäckman, the ] and ] are actually one nation and the Republic of ] should be united with ] where it could still have an autonomy.<ref>{{cite news |language=et|title=Bäckman: Soome ja Eesti – üks rahvas – üks riik! |date=29 April 2009 |access-date=30 April 2009 |url=http://www.eesti.ca/?op=article&articleid=23557}}</ref> | According to Bäckman, the ] and ] are actually one nation and the Republic of ] should be united with ] where it could still have an autonomy.<ref>{{cite news |language=et|title=Bäckman: Soome ja Eesti – üks rahvas – üks riik! |date=29 April 2009 |access-date=30 April 2009 |url=http://www.eesti.ca/?op=article&articleid=23557}}</ref> | ||
===The Bronze Soldier book=== | === The Bronze Soldier book === | ||
], 2011]] | |||
In his highly controversial book about the Estonian ] ''Pronssisoturi: Viron patsaskiistan tausta ja sisältö'', published in Finnish in 2008, Bäckman disagrees with the integration policies of ]. In his opinion, Estonian integration policies that have seen some 147,000 Russian speakers receiving Estonian citizenship in the past decade are "]" and represent a "criminal discrimination of Russians".<ref name=den/> In the ''Bronze Soldier'' he dismissed the ] as a "Nazi myth".<ref name="hs.fi">. HS.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> Bäckman has gained publicity in Estonia for denying the Soviet occupation during 1940-1941 and 1944-1991: <blockquote>''"In my opinion speaking or writing of Soviet "occupation" should be criminalised as a form of racist propaganda.</blockquote> | |||
In his highly controversial book about the Estonian ] ''Pronssisoturi: Viron patsaskiistan tausta ja sisältö'', published in Finnish in 2008, Bäckman disagrees with the integration policies of ]. In his opinion, Estonian integration policies that have seen some 147,000 Russian speakers receiving Estonian citizenship in the past decade are "]" and represent a "criminal discrimination of Russians".<ref name=den/> In the ''Bronze Soldier'' he dismissed the ] as a "Nazi myth".<ref name="hs.fi">. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> Bäckman has gained publicity in Estonia for denying the Soviet occupation during 1940-1941 and 1944-1991: <blockquote>"In my opinion speaking or writing of Soviet 'occupation' should be criminalised as a form of racist propaganda."</blockquote> | |||
In connection to the publication of the book in September 2008, Bäckman gave several interviews, including one in which he claimed Estonia will join Russia within a decade.<ref name=den> ] {{in lang|ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Estland in zehn Jahren Teil der Russischen Föderation|work=]|url=http://derstandard.at/?url=/?id=1220457806736|date=11 September 2008|access-date=13 September 2008|language=de}}</ref><ref name=EP> ] 11 August 2008 {{in lang|et}}</ref><ref name=bb> ] 11 August 2008</ref><ref name=molodezh> ] 15 August 2008</ref> Bäckman also claimed that the "destruction" of the Bronze Soldier grave site and monument in April 2007 by the Estonian government was "the end of history of Estonia". He speculated that most of the Russian youth all over Russia, including children, <!--as a result / at the time +ed (past tense)--> hate Estonia and deny her the right to exist. Bäckman went on to predict that in ten years at most, the ] would come to power in Russia, leading to an end of the Estonian statehood shortly afterwards.<ref name="den"/> | In connection to the publication of the book in September 2008, Bäckman gave several interviews, including one in which he claimed Estonia will join Russia within a decade.<ref name="den"> ] {{in lang|ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Estland in zehn Jahren Teil der Russischen Föderation|work=]|url=http://derstandard.at/?url=/?id=1220457806736|date=11 September 2008|access-date=13 September 2008|language=de}}</ref><ref name=EP> '']'' 11 August 2008 {{in lang|et}}</ref><ref name=bb>{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ] 11 August 2008</ref><ref name=molodezh> ] 15 August 2008</ref> Bäckman also claimed that the "destruction" of the Bronze Soldier grave site and monument in April 2007 by the Estonian government was "the end of history of Estonia". He speculated that most of the Russian youth all over Russia, including children, <!--as a result / at the time +ed (past tense)--> hate Estonia and deny her the right to exist. Bäckman went on to predict that in ten years at most, the ] would come to power in Russia, leading to an end of the Estonian statehood shortly afterwards.<ref name="den"/> | ||
After the publication of the book, Finnish and Estonian cultural figures, scholars, journalists and politicians, including ], ] and ], addressed the ] in an ] of protest, partly in relation to Bäckman teaching a course on "specialities of Estonian legal policy" in the Spring 2009 semester.<ref>. HS.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> Bäckman immediately threatened to sue the letter's authors for libel and later filed a criminal complaint, but the Helsinki Police refused to open investigation.<ref>{{in lang|fi}} . Uusisuomi.fi (4 November 2008). Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> The former minister of foreign affairs of Finland Dr. ] called Bäckman's book as "deliberate provocation", but condemned the open letter for violating the principles of freedom of speech.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.tuomioja.org/index.php?mainAction=showPage&id=1553&category=3 | title=Pitäisikö provosoitua? | author=Tuomioja, Erkki | author-link=Erkki Tuomioja |date = October 2008| access-date=31 March 2009}}</ref> The University of Helsinki distanced itself in a statement holding that Bäckman's political views are his own and do not represent the University's.<ref name="hs.fi"/><ref name=PM> ] 27 March 2008 {{in lang|et}}</ref> | After the publication of the book, Finnish and Estonian cultural figures, scholars, journalists and politicians, including ], ] and ], addressed the ] in an ] of protest, partly in relation to Bäckman teaching a course on "specialities of Estonian legal policy" in the Spring 2009 semester.<ref>. HS.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> Bäckman immediately threatened to sue the letter's authors for libel and later filed a criminal complaint, but the Helsinki Police refused to open investigation.<ref>{{in lang|fi}} . Uusisuomi.fi (4 November 2008). Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> The former minister of foreign affairs of Finland Dr. ] called Bäckman's book as "deliberate provocation", but condemned the open letter for violating the principles of freedom of speech.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.tuomioja.org/index.php?mainAction=showPage&id=1553&category=3 | title=Pitäisikö provosoitua? | author=Tuomioja, Erkki | author-link=Erkki Tuomioja |date = October 2008| access-date=31 March 2009}}</ref> The University of Helsinki distanced itself in a statement holding that Bäckman's political views are his own and do not represent the University's.<ref name="hs.fi"/><ref name=PM> ] 27 March 2008 {{in lang|et}}</ref> | ||
=== Estonian Internal Security Service and Bäckman === | |||
===Nashi protests in Helsinki=== | |||
]-protest" on 23 March 2009. The handful of demonstrators were the focus of attention for about 40 representatives of the media.<ref name="hs-handful">. Hs.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref>]] | |||
In March 2009 Bäckman, as part of the ], arranged a series of protests in Helsinki attended by activists of the Russian ], and ] organizations, against what they called the "opening a new anti-Russian front of information warfare on the territory of Finland by Estonian embassy." In addition, ] and his followers from the prospective ] participated. The protests were aimed against seminars, against a book about the ], and against films presented by the Estonian embassy in Finland, especially the film '']'' by ].<ref name="hs-handful"/> In media commentaries for Swedish, Finnish and Russian press, television and radio, Bäckman claimed that the Soviet Union did not occupy Estonia, and belittled the significance of the ].<ref name="hs-handful"/> | |||
===Estonian Internal Security Service and Bäckman=== | |||
The ] official Andres Kahar said in the Estonian press that Bäckman is "a Russian propagandist" spreading disinformation similar to claims made in Moscow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sloleht.ee/index.aspx?id=296973 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110817011901/http://www.sloleht.ee/index.aspx?id=296973 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 August 2011 |title=Kapo: milleks aidata Vene propagandamasinat? |author=Viivik, Allar |work=SL Õhtuleht |date=23 March 2008 |access-date=26 September 2008 |language=et}}</ref><ref name='backman+teinonen'>{{Cite journal | journal = ] | date = 18 March 2009 | url = http://www.ekspress.ee/2009/03/18/eesti-uudised/40449-yheskoos-eesti-vastu-antifashist-backman-ja-natsimeelne-teinonen | title = Üheskoos Eesti vastu: antifašist Bäckman ja natsimeelne Teinonen | author = Askur Alas | access-date = 31 March 2009 | language = et | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090321054521/http://www.ekspress.ee/2009/03/18/eesti-uudised/40449-yheskoos-eesti-vastu-antifashist-backman-ja-natsimeelne-teinonen | archive-date = 21 March 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=1661|title=Eurasian Secret Services Daily Review|date=1 October 2008|work=Global Challenges Research|access-date=15 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010235140/http://www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=1661|archive-date=10 October 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> | The ] official Andres Kahar said in the Estonian press that Bäckman is "a Russian propagandist" spreading disinformation similar to claims made in Moscow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sloleht.ee/index.aspx?id=296973 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110817011901/http://www.sloleht.ee/index.aspx?id=296973 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 August 2011 |title=Kapo: milleks aidata Vene propagandamasinat? |author=Viivik, Allar |work=SL Õhtuleht |date=23 March 2008 |access-date=26 September 2008 |language=et}}</ref><ref name='backman+teinonen'>{{Cite journal | journal = ] | date = 18 March 2009 | url = http://www.ekspress.ee/2009/03/18/eesti-uudised/40449-yheskoos-eesti-vastu-antifashist-backman-ja-natsimeelne-teinonen | title = Üheskoos Eesti vastu: antifašist Bäckman ja natsimeelne Teinonen | author = Askur Alas | access-date = 31 March 2009 | language = et | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090321054521/http://www.ekspress.ee/2009/03/18/eesti-uudised/40449-yheskoos-eesti-vastu-antifashist-backman-ja-natsimeelne-teinonen | archive-date = 21 March 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=1661|title=Eurasian Secret Services Daily Review|date=1 October 2008|work=Global Challenges Research|access-date=15 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010235140/http://www.axisglobe.com/article.asp?article=1661|archive-date=10 October 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
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In March 2009, the newspaper '']'' reported a link between Bäckman and the Finnish neo-nazi ], alleging both of them are connected to the reputed former ] agent ] residing in Estonia, all of whom are linked to the Russian historian ]. In the assessment by ], Bäckman, Teinonen and Ilyashevich are working as a team with support from Moscow, attempting to undermine the names of many good people, the relations between Finland and Estonia, and the Republic of Estonia itself.<ref name='backman+teinonen'/> | In March 2009, the newspaper '']'' reported a link between Bäckman and the Finnish neo-nazi ], alleging both of them are connected to the reputed former ] agent ] residing in Estonia, all of whom are linked to the Russian historian ]. In the assessment by ], Bäckman, Teinonen and Ilyashevich are working as a team with support from Moscow, attempting to undermine the names of many good people, the relations between Finland and Estonia, and the Republic of Estonia itself.<ref name='backman+teinonen'/> | ||
Finnish counter-intelligence has not commented on Bäckman publicly. Regarding ] |
Finnish counter-intelligence has not commented on Bäckman publicly. Regarding ] demonstrations organised by Bäckman in Helsinki in March 2009, the Finnish security police spokesman replied they heard "rumours" about the demonstrations but would not comment on issues regarding free democratic activism.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.uusisuomi.fi/kotimaa/53880-supo-nashien-helsingin-retkesta-%22olemme-kuulleet-huhuja%22 | title=Vaikutusvaltaisen suomalaisen media | date=27 May 2023 }}</ref> | ||
===''Persona non-grata'' status in Estonia=== | === ''Persona non-grata'' status in Estonia === | ||
On 26 April 2009, Bäckman was detained after his disembarkation from a ferry in the ] and expelled from the country under an entry prohibition. The Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that Johan Bäckman has been declared ''persona non-grata'' in Estonia.<ref name=banned>{{cite news|url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Anti-Estonian+Johan+Bäckman+refused+entry+at+Port+of+Tallinn/1135245495868|title=Anti-Estonian Johan Bäckman refused entry at Port of Tallinn|date=27 April 2009|work=]|access-date=30 May 2014}}</ref> Among reasons for expulsion, the ] listed the first of all twelve statements by Bäckman in the Estonian press and in his blog, claiming Estonia is an "]" regime that "falsifies" history. ] pointed out such prohibition against entry into Estonia by Finnish citizens is extremely rare. Previously such entry bans have been issued to some Finns suspected of connections with racist movements.<ref name="expulsion">{{Cite journal | title = Anti-Estonian Johan Bäckman refused entry at Port of Tallinn | journal = ] | date = 27 April 2009 | access-date =28 April 2009 | url = http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Anti-Estonian+Johan+B%C3%A4ckman+refused+entry+at+Port+of+Tallinn/1135245495868}}</ref> In December 2010, Tallinn regional court declared entry prohibitions against Bäckman illegal and ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to compensate his legal fees in sum of 16,600 ]s.<ref>. Uudised.err.ee (17 December 2010). Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> | |||
On 26 April 2009, Bäckman was detained after his disembarkation from a ferry in the ] and expelled from the country under an entry prohibition. The Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that Johan Bäckman has been declared ''persona non-grata'' in Estonia.<ref name=banned>{{cite news|url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Anti-Estonian+Johan+Bäckman+refused+entry+at+Port+of+Tallinn/1135245495868|title=Anti-Estonian Johan Bäckman refused entry at Port of Tallinn|date=27 April 2009|work=]|access-date=30 May 2014}}</ref> Among reasons for expulsion, the ] listed the first of all twelve statements by Bäckman in the Estonian press and in his blog, claiming Estonia is an "]" regime that "falsifies" history. '']'' pointed out such prohibition against entry into Estonia by Finnish citizens is extremely rare. Previously such entry bans have been issued to some Finns suspected of connections with racist movements.<ref name="expulsion">{{Cite journal | title = Anti-Estonian Johan Bäckman refused entry at Port of Tallinn | journal = ] | date = 27 April 2009 | access-date =28 April 2009 | url = http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Anti-Estonian+Johan+B%C3%A4ckman+refused+entry+at+Port+of+Tallinn/1135245495868}}</ref> In December 2010, Tallinn regional court declared entry prohibitions against Bäckman illegal and ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to compensate his legal fees in sum of 16,600 ]s.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720124939/http://www.uudised.err.ee/index.php?06221060 |date=20 July 2011 }}. Uudised.err.ee (17 December 2010). Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> | |||
On 29 July 2011, Bäckman was again denied entry into Estonia and sent back to Finland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uudised.err.ee/index.php?06232213 |title=Bäckman was sent back to Finland |author=Priit Burbot |date=30 July 2011 |publisher=ERR |access-date=4 January 2012}}</ref> | On 29 July 2011, Bäckman was again denied entry into Estonia and sent back to Finland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uudised.err.ee/index.php?06232213 |title=Bäckman was sent back to Finland |author=Priit Burbot |date=30 July 2011 |publisher=ERR |access-date=4 January 2012}}</ref> | ||
== |
== Finland == | ||
Bäckman has been a commentator of Finnish-Russian child custody and "grandmother cases". The Finnish Broadcasting Company ], quoting ], a professor of Russian history, speculated that this has happened due to fact that Bäckman's opinions match the interests of the Kremlin.<ref name="yle-vihavainen">{{cite web | title = Professori: Kohudosenttiin suhtauduttava vakavasti | url = http://yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/06/professori_kohudosenttiin_suhtauduttava_vakavasti_1734417.html | publisher = ] | date = 8 June 2010 | access-date=8 June 2010 | language = fi}}</ref> | Bäckman has been a commentator of Finnish-Russian child custody and "grandmother cases" in Russian media. He has claimed that Finnish authorities persecute Russian mothers and take custody of their children without a reason. The Finnish Broadcasting Company ], quoting ], a professor of Russian history, speculated that this has happened due to fact that Bäckman's opinions match the interests of the Kremlin.<ref name="yle-vihavainen">{{cite web | title = Professori: Kohudosenttiin suhtauduttava vakavasti | url = http://yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/06/professori_kohudosenttiin_suhtauduttava_vakavasti_1734417.html | publisher = ] | date = 8 June 2010 | access-date=8 June 2010 | language = fi}}</ref><ref name=Salovaara/><ref name="Yle_Jul2022"/> | ||
Bäckman was a commentator for Russian press during the ] in 2009.<ref> (in Finnish) |
Bäckman was a commentator for the Russian press during the ] in 2009.<ref> (in Finnish)</ref> Later, Bäckman apologized for his behaviour, and promised not to further intervene in the incident.<ref name="hs-apoligises">{{cite web | url = http://www.hs.fi/english/article/B%C3%A4ckman+apologises+to+Paavo+Salonen+over+comments+on+child+custody+affair/1135250237739 | title = Bäckman apologises to Paavo Salonen over comments on child custody affair | access-date =15 November 2010 | publisher = ]}}</ref><ref> (in Finnish)</ref> However, he later deleted his apology, continuing to comment on the case.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kohudosentti.blogspot.com/2010/08/suomi-kielsi-anton-saloselta-venajan.html|title=Johan Bäckmanin blogi: Suomi kielsi Anton Saloselta venäjän puhumisen, Venäjä lähetti nootin|first=Johan|last=Bäckman|date=6 August 2010}}</ref> He was also an active commentator for Russian press during the ] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.kommersant.ru/doc.aspx?fromsearch=8ad49230-07a2-412b-95f6-5a377c7e9d6f&docsid=1338490 | script-title=ru:Бронзовый мальчик | access-date =27 March 2010 | publisher = ] | language = ru| date=22 March 2010 }}</ref> Bäckman also received media time with grandmother and similar child custody cases in 2010.<ref name="yle-vihavainen"/> | ||
Bäckman claims that children that are being taken care of by Finnish child protection authorities are living in "concentration camps", and explains that "this is a certain system of political terror". |
Bäckman claims that children that are being taken care of by Finnish child protection authorities are living in "concentration camps", and explains that "this is a certain system of political terror". To explain why the rest of the world has not noticed this, he claims that "Children who get into these camps have special prohibitions for communications, they cannot tell us what is happening there." He states: "I think that the juvenile justice system, the system of a mass removal of children, is genocide of children". He has not provided numbers for how many children are supposed to have been killed in this alleged "genocide", and has not revealed any sources for his information.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravdareport.com/society/126694-finland_juvenile_fascism/|title=Finland: Juvenile fascism for 800 million euros|first=Dmitry|last=Sudakov|date=28 January 2014|website=PravdaReport}}</ref> | ||
In September 2014, he alleged that the Finnish authorities had unjustifiably taken custody of a daughter of a Russian mother, and that the mother would seek help from the Russian Children's Ombudsman Pavel Astahov, who has a background in ].<ref name=Salovaara/><ref name="Yle_Jul2022"/> | |||
Bäckman has criticized ] journalist ], who investigated pro-Russian ]s, accusing her in "Russo-phobic" tendencies and claiming that she was "well-known assistant of American and Baltic special services."<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/31/world/europe/russia-finland-nato-trolls.html |title=Effort to Expose Russia's 'Troll Army' Draws Vicious Retaliation |first=Andrew|last=Higgins |work=] |date=30 May 2015 |access-date=27 October 2016}}</ref> Prosecutors have formally charged Bäckman for harassment and aggravated defamation of Aro.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/controversial_academic_charged_over_harassment_slander_of_yle_journalist/10134347 |title=Controversial academic charged over harassment, slander of Yle journalist |publisher=] |date=26 March 2018 |access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref> In October 2018 Bäckman received a 12-month suspended jail sentence for aggravated defamation and stalking. Bäckman said he would appeal the verdict.<ref name="nyt_oct2018">{{cite news |last1=Higgins |first1=Andrew |title=Three Internet Trolls Convicted of Systematic Defamation Against Journalist in Finland |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/19/world/europe/finland-internet-trolls-defamation.html |access-date=21 October 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=19 October 2018}}</ref> | |||
In February 2022 the Supreme Court of Finland ruled that Bäckman was not quilty of defamation, but harasment of Jessikka Aro. <ref name="yle_Feb2022">{{cite news |title=Bäckman receives suspended sentence for stalking Yle reporter |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12323858 |access-date=21 October 2018 |publisher = Yle |date=22 February 2022}}</ref> | |||
Journalist Jussi Konttinen of the newspaper '']'' characterised Johan Bäckman as a promising researcher in ] in the early 2000s, who has since "marginalized" himself in Finland.<ref>{{cite news |title=Maailman paras maa |first=Jussi |last=Konttinen |url=http://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/artikkeli/Putin-nuoret+rinnastavat+suomalaistuomarin+natseihin/1135258810533 |newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat |date=25 June 2010 |pages=C4–C5 |language=fi}} = Only a part of the article is in the web.</ref> | |||
Bäckman has a background in music. According to Helsingin Sanomat he became a public figure in the late 1980s when playing the ] in the EBU Young Soloists Competition on national television. Bäckman also played the bassoon in the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.<ref Name="hs-johanonkumma"/> | |||
Bäckman's first public appearance was in the late 1980s when he played ] in the EBU Young Soloists Competition on national television. He also played bassoon in the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.<ref Name="hs-johanonkumma"/> | |||
== Bäckman and Ukraine == | |||
In March 2014 Bäckman was invited to participate as observer by the ] (EODE),<ref name="AktualneEode">{{cite web |url=http://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/ani-pusky-ani-natlak-jak-cesti-politici-dohlizeli-na-krymu/r~d5764000aee911e3a322002590604f2e/ |title=Politici jeli na Krym s extremisty. Bylo to narychlo, říkají |author=Sandra Štefaniková|publisher=Aktuálně.cz |date=2014-03-19| access-date = 2014-03-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lidovky.cz/berkovcova-mise-na-krym-mlzil-o-nazvu-organizatora-i-financovani-phh-/zpravy-domov.aspx?c=A140319_171408_ln_domov_spa| title= Berkovcova mise na Krym. Tají organizátora i financování| author = spa (Šárka Pálková) |publisher=Lidovky.cz| date = 2014-03-20| access-date = 2014-03-22}}</ref> a far-right Russia-based self-proclaimed election monitoring organization,<ref name="FA">{{cite journal | url=http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/141067/mitchell-a-orenstein/putins-western-allies | title=Putin's Western Allies. Why Europe's Far Right Is on the Kremlin's Side | author=Orenstein, Mitchell | journal=Foreign Affairs |date=March 2014}}</ref> in disputed ] which resulted ]. Bäckman stated that he saw no violations and considered the referendum to be within the framework of international law.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.europeanbusinessreview.eu/page.asp?pid=1193 |last=Banks |first=Martin |title=International election monitors refuted suggestions of violations in the Crimean referendum |publisher=European Business Review |date=18 March 2014 |access-date=2014-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150218/http://www.europeanbusinessreview.eu/page.asp?pid=1193 |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> | |||
=== Opinion of the history of Finland === | |||
In May he announced that separatist ] will open a representative office in Helsinki.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/ukrainian_separatists_opening_mission_in_helsinki/7226818 |title=Ukrainian separatists opening mission in Helsinki |publisher=] |date=7 May 2014 |access-date=2014-07-06}}</ref> Bäckman claims that ] shootdown was a United States provocation to justify a NATO intervention in ], and describes Ukrainian government as "the Kiev junta".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://en.ria.ru/burning_point/20140805/191768221/US-and-NATO-Up-for-New-Anti-Russia-Provocation-This-Time-in-The.html |title=US and NATO Up for New Anti-Russia Provocation, This Time in The Baltic - Expert |publisher=] |date=5 August 2014 |access-date=2014-08-05}}</ref> | |||
Bäckman is highly critical of the modern Finnish historiography of ] and challenges the traditional Western account that Finland waged a separate ] against the aggression of the USSR. According to Bäckman, the Finns participated in the ] actively and asked ] to destroy the city. He speculates that Finland also planned an ] in ] in order to create a Finno-Ugric superpower (]), possibly stretching as far as ], or even to the river ], which he claimed is proven by vast amounts of documents and in several Finnish history books by ], ] and Nikolai Baryshnikov.<ref name="sptimes.ru"/> | |||
== Bäckman and Moldova == | |||
In May 2014 Bäckman was expelled from ] and received five-year entry ban, as his activities were regarded as undermining Moldova's statehood.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=509704 |title=Finnish human rights activist Backman deported from Moldova, banned entry for five years |publisher=]|date=29 May 2014 |access-date=2014-06-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714214033/http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=509704 |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> | |||
Bäckman accuses Finland of being the aggressor in World War II: that it allied with Hitler in attacking the USSR in 1941 (])—omitting the original source conflict (]); plotted territorial expansion and planned to conduct ethnic cleansing; and that, along with the Estonians and Germans, believed in its Aryan origins (a Nordic master race). He contends Finns are both anti-Semitic and Russophobic, Russophobia being a "racist political ideology"—both per "several academic works by Finnish authors."<ref>Bäckman, J. "The Janša-Patria Case (or Chase): A Challenge for Mediacriminology"—Primer Janša-Patria (lov na čarovnice): izziv za kriminologijo medijev</ref> | |||
In March 2002, during a military historical festival in ] in the ] which was dedicated to the 62nd anniversary of the end of the ], Bäckman made a sensational claim that the modern authorities of Finland propagated the idea that the Russian people are genetically inferior and expected Russia to collapse in about twenty years.<ref name="politika-karelia.ru"/><ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.rep.ru/20Mar2002/society/01.html |date=* |title=РУССКИЕ ЛЮДИ ГЕНЕТИЧЕСКИ НЕПОЛНОЦЕННЫЕ?}}</ref> The other participants at the festival considered that he unreasonably overestimated the extent of ] in Finland.<ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.rep.ru/10Apr2002/society/02.html |date=* |title=ВОЗМОЖНО, У ЙОХАНА БЭКМАНА НЕТ ЧУВСТВА ЮМОРА?}}</ref> According to Bäckman's article "Finland without a mask" (the title alludes to a 1943 proclamation by ]), published in Russian in May 2002, the Finns in general consider themselves a superior nation, all Russian women prostitutes, and all Russian men thieves and bandits.<ref>. Whiteworld.ns-info.ru. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> During 2002, Bäckman gained an odious reputation both in Russia and among his Finnish colleagues.<ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.politika-karelia.ru/shtml/article.shtml?id=28 |date=* |title=Поколение новое - предрассудки старые}}</ref> | |||
In 2002, Bäckman publicly accused the ] of ] and racism. He claimed that the ministry was preparing a campaign to smear Russia and return the territories lost in the ].<ref>{{in lang|ru}} . Gov.karelia.ru. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> | |||
In 2003, Johan Beckman Institute published the book ''Finland and the Siege of Leningrad 1941-1944'' by the Russian historian ]. The ] awarded Bäckman their ''Marshal Govorov Literature Prize'' (2003) for the book. Historian ], a historian at the University of Helsinki described it as "a book built on ] propaganda stereotypes". Vihavainen also said that Baryshnikov had misunderstood some of the language in Finnish archive documents.<ref name="sptimes.ru">. Sptimes.ru. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> Bäckman and Baryshnikov threatened to sue Vihavainen. | |||
=== Nashi protests in Helsinki === | |||
In March 2009, as a member of the ], Bäckman arranged a series of protests in Helsinki attended by activists of the Russian ], and ] organizations, against what they called the "opening a new anti-Russian front of information warfare on the territory of Finland by Estonian embassy." In addition, ] and his followers from the prospective ] participated. The protests were aimed against seminars, against a book about the ], and against films presented by the Estonian embassy in Finland, especially the film '']'' by ]. In media commentaries for Swedish, Finnish and Russian press, television and radio, Bäckman claimed that the Soviet Union did not occupy Estonia, and belittled the significance of the ].<ref>. Hs.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> | |||
=== Criminal conviction === | |||
Bäckman has criticized ] journalist ], who investigated pro-Russian ]s, accusing her of "Russo-phobic" tendencies and claiming that she was "well-known assistant of American and Baltic special services."<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/31/world/europe/russia-finland-nato-trolls.html |title=Effort to Expose Russia's 'Troll Army' Draws Vicious Retaliation |first=Andrew|last=Higgins |work=] |date=30 May 2015 |access-date=27 October 2016}}</ref> Presented statements led prosecutors to formally charge Bäckman for harassment and aggravated defamation of Aro.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/controversial_academic_charged_over_harassment_slander_of_yle_journalist/10134347 |title=Controversial academic charged over harassment, slander of Yle journalist |publisher=] |date=26 March 2018 |access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref> In October 2018, Bäckman received a 12-month suspended jail sentence for aggravated defamation and stalking. Bäckman said he would appeal the verdict.<ref name="nyt_oct2018">{{cite news |last1=Higgins |first1=Andrew |title=Three Internet Trolls Convicted of Systematic Defamation Against Journalist in Finland |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/19/world/europe/finland-internet-trolls-defamation.html |access-date=21 October 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=19 October 2018}}</ref> In February 2022, the Supreme Court of Finland upheld the verdict that Bäckman was guilty of stalking of Jessikka Aro, while the defamation charge was dropped. Bäckman was given a 60-day suspended prison sentence, and he was ordered to pay Aro a compensation of 9,000 euros and an additional 9,200 euros for her loss of earnings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bäckman receives suspended sentence for stalking Yle reporter |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12323858 |access-date=21 October 2018 |publisher = Yle |date=22 February 2022}}</ref> | |||
== Ukraine == | |||
Bäckman has voiced support for Russia in the ].<ref name=Salovaara/> In March 2014, Bäckman was invited to participate as an observer by the ] (EODE),<ref name="AktualneEode">{{cite web |url=http://zpravy.aktualne.cz/domaci/ani-pusky-ani-natlak-jak-cesti-politici-dohlizeli-na-krymu/r~d5764000aee911e3a322002590604f2e/ |title=Politici jeli na Krym s extremisty. Bylo to narychlo, říkají |author=Sandra Štefaniková|publisher=Aktuálně.cz |date=19 March 2014| access-date = 20 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lidovky.cz/berkovcova-mise-na-krym-mlzil-o-nazvu-organizatora-i-financovani-phh-/zpravy-domov.aspx?c=A140319_171408_ln_domov_spa| title= Berkovcova mise na Krym. Tají organizátora i financování| author = spa (Šárka Pálková) |publisher=Lidovky.cz| date = 20 March 2014| access-date = 22 March 2014}}</ref> a far-right Russia-based self-proclaimed election monitoring organization,<ref name="FA">{{cite journal | url=http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/141067/mitchell-a-orenstein/putins-western-allies | title=Putin's Western Allies. Why Europe's Far Right Is on the Kremlin's Side | author=Orenstein, Mitchell | journal=Foreign Affairs |date=March 2014}}</ref> in the disputed ], which resulted in the ]. Bäckman stated that he saw no violations and considered the referendum to be within the framework of international law.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.europeanbusinessreview.eu/page.asp?pid=1193 |last=Banks |first=Martin |title=International election monitors refuted suggestions of violations in the Crimean referendum |publisher=European Business Review |date=18 March 2014 |access-date=6 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150218/http://www.europeanbusinessreview.eu/page.asp?pid=1193 |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> | |||
He alleges to represent the separatist ] in Finland,<ref name="yle-satakunta">{{cite web | title = SDP politician's support of East-Ukrainian separatists raises eyebrows | url = http://yle.fi/uutiset/sdp_politicians_support_of_east-ukrainian_separatists_raises_eyebrows/7377804 | publisher = ] | date = 26 July 2014 | access-date=11 August 2014}}</ref><ref>2014, </ref> and in May he announced that they will open a representative office in Helsinki.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/ukrainian_separatists_opening_mission_in_helsinki/7226818 |title=Ukrainian separatists opening mission in Helsinki |publisher=] |date=7 May 2014 |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref> Bäckman claimed the ] shootdown was a United States provocation to justify a NATO intervention in ], and describes the Ukrainian government as "the Kiev junta".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://en.ria.ru/burning_point/20140805/191768221/US-and-NATO-Up-for-New-Anti-Russia-Provocation-This-Time-in-The.html |title=US and NATO Up for New Anti-Russia Provocation, This Time in The Baltic - Expert |publisher=] |date=5 August 2014 |access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref> | |||
During the ] he has given statements to Russian media outlets about the anti-Russian sentiment of the ] and ], and claimed that ] as a nation does not exist.<ref name=Salovaara/> | |||
Bäckman has been involved in recruiting Finns for the war in eastern ] on the Russian side.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12153718 | title = Itä-Ukrainassa Venäjän puolesta taistelleet suomalaiset kehuskelevat kokemuksillaan – muualla Euroopassa vierastaistelijoita on tuomittu rikoksista | author = Jessikka Aro, Antti Kuronen | work = Yle Uutiset | date = 23 November 2021 | accessdate = 12 January 2022 | language = fi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/art-2000006535647.html| title = Suomen uusnatsit hankkivat nyt oppia Venäjältä: järjestön koulutuskeskus järjestää haulikko- ja pistooliammuntaa, "partisaanikursseja" ja kieltää kiroilun| author = Laura Halminen| work = Helsingin Sanomat| date = 9 June 2020| access-date = 12 January 2022| language = fi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2021/11/29/some-20-finns-fought-against-ukraine-in-donbas-facing-no-consequences-in-finland-media/|title=Some 20 Finns fought against Ukraine in Donbas, facing no consequences in Finland – media|work=]|date=13 May 2024|quote=“Johan Backman says that he continues to help Finns who have gone to Eastern Ukraine to fight. He does not feel responsible for the people he recruits.” Johan Bäckman is an important central figure for Finnish fighters, who had organized their travel from Finland to the Donbas and engaged them in illegal activities there. Janus Kostia Putkonen arrived in Donbas from Moscow via Rostov, southern Russia, in March 2015.}}</ref> | |||
== Moldova == | |||
In May 2014, Bäckman was expelled from ] and received a five-year entry ban, as his activities were regarded as undermining Moldova's statehood.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=509704 |title=Finnish human rights activist Backman deported from Moldova, banned entry for five years |publisher=]|date=29 May 2014 |access-date=7 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714214033/http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=509704 |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> | |||
== Politics == | == Politics == | ||
Bäckman regards the ] movement of the 1970s, the hardline pro-Soviet faction in the ], as "the best thing that happened in the history of Finland". He has said: "We can thank the Taistoists for high-quality science, art and culture we enjoy today".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2009/3/22/d25126.php |title=Han bjöd in 30 Putinunga |publisher=] |date=22 March 2009 |access-date=29 March 2009 |last=Bruun |first=Staffan |language=sv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326042650/http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2009/3/22/d25126.php |archive-date=26 March 2009}}</ref> Bäckman was an ] for ] on the ] list. He got 554 votes and was not allocated a seat.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://192.49.229.35/EP2009/s/tulos/ehdtulos_kokomaa.html |title=EUROPARLAMENTTIVAALIT 7.6.2009 - Tulos - Koko maa |publisher=vaalit.fi (the Official Results by the Ministry of Justice) |access-date=13 June 2009 |language=fi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612060746/http://192.49.229.35/EP2009/s/tulos/ehdtulos_kokomaa.html |archive-date=12 June 2009}}</ref> | |||
Bäckman regards the ] movement of the 1970s, the hardline pro-Soviet faction in the ], as "the best thing that happened in the history of Finland". He has said: "We can thank the Taistoists for high-quality science, art and culture we enjoy today".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2009/3/22/d25126.php |title=Han bjöd in 30 Putinunga |publisher=] |date=22 March 2009 |access-date=29 March 2009 |last=Bruun |first=Staffan |language=sv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326042650/http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2009/3/22/d25126.php |archive-date=26 March 2009}}</ref> Bäckman was an ] for ] on the ] list. He gained 554 votes, insufficient to gain a seat.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://192.49.229.35/EP2009/s/tulos/ehdtulos_kokomaa.html |title=EUROPARLAMENTTIVAALIT 7.6.2009 - Tulos - Koko maa |publisher=vaalit.fi (the Official Results by the Ministry of Justice) |access-date=13 June 2009 |language=fi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612060746/http://192.49.229.35/EP2009/s/tulos/ehdtulos_kokomaa.html |archive-date=12 June 2009}}</ref> | |||
In March 2011, Bäckman announced that he is a candidate for the ] on the Workers Party of Finland list.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120526084044/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/vaalit2011/Huoltajuuskiistasta%20tuttu%20Rimma%20Salonen%20pyrkii%20eduskuntaan/art-1288373373617.html |date=26 May 2012}}. Iltasanomat.fi (3 March 2011). Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref><ref>. Antifasistit.blogspot.com. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> He gained only 36 votes and was not allocated a seat.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928082454/http://192.49.229.35/E2011/e/tulos/ehdkutulos_helsinki.html |date=28 September 2011}} Official results of Finnish Justice Ministry</ref> | |||
In March 2011, Bäckman announced he was a candidate for the ] on the Workers Party of Finland list.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120526084044/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/vaalit2011/Huoltajuuskiistasta%20tuttu%20Rimma%20Salonen%20pyrkii%20eduskuntaan/art-1288373373617.html |date=26 May 2012}}. Iltasanomat.fi (3 March 2011). Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref><ref>. Antifasistit.blogspot.com. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> He gained 36 votes.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928082454/http://192.49.229.35/E2011/e/tulos/ehdkutulos_helsinki.html |date=28 September 2011}} Official results of Finnish Justice Ministry</ref> In October 2012, he was a candidate in municipal elections in ], gaining 43 votes.<ref>http://vaalit.yle.fi/tulospalvelu/2012/kuntavaalit/ehdokkaat/ehdokas_2_49_582.html Yle results of candidate Bäckman, Johan</ref> | |||
In 2023, Bäckman is again running for the Finnish parliament, this time as a candidate for the pro-Russian ]-party.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://demokraatti.fi/vkk-puolue-yrittaa-saada-dosentti-johan-backmanin-eduskuntaan|work=]|date=24 March 2023|title=VKK-puolue yrittää saada dosentti Johan Bäckmanin eduskuntaan}}</ref> | |||
In October 2012 he was a candidate in municipal elections in ], getting 43 votes, insufficient to gain a seat.<ref>http://vaalit.yle.fi/tulospalvelu/2012/kuntavaalit/ehdokkaat/ehdokas_2_49_582.html Yle results of candidate Bäckman, Johan</ref> | |||
== Academic career == | == Academic career == | ||
He received his training in ] at the ], where he defended his PhD in 2006,<ref>. Ethesis.helsinki.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> and has a title of a ] (not an indication of a teaching position or employment)<ref name="UNIFI">{{cite web|url=http://www.rectors-council.helsinki.fi/lausunnot_ja_kannanotot/lausunnot_2010/Unifi_suositus_DosentinArvoEnglanniksi.pdf |title=Dosentin arvon englanninkielinen käännös |language=fi |trans-title=Translation of the title of docent into English |last1=Lajunen |first1=Lauri |last2=Savunen |first2=Liisa |date=11 February 2010 |publisher=Suomen yliopistot – Finlands universitet – Universities Finland UNIFI |access-date=11 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523220245/http://www.rectors-council.helsinki.fi/lausunnot_ja_kannanotot/lausunnot_2010/Unifi_suositus_DosentinArvoEnglanniksi.pdf |archive-date=23 May 2013}}</ref> of the ].<ref>. Helsinki.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> He also has a title of a ]<ref name="UNIFI"/> in criminology at the ]<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017182219/http://notes.utu.fi/ty/webexper.nsf/031b9e8464cecb05c22564dd003abe2e/9b3aa972eae3fe4ec22573b700208d2b?OpenDocument |date=17 October 2008}}. Notes.utu.fi (13 May 2008). Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> and the ]. He has previously taught courses on the sociology of law, criminology, and Russian studies in several Finnish universities. | |||
He received his training in ] at the ], where he defended his PhD in 2006,<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927101806/http://ethesis.helsinki.fi/julkaisut/val/sosio/vk/backman/abstract.html |date=27 September 2011 }}. Ethesis.helsinki.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> and has a title of a ] (not an indication of a teaching position or employment)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rectors-council.helsinki.fi/lausunnot_ja_kannanotot/lausunnot_2010/Unifi_suositus_DosentinArvoEnglanniksi.pdf |title=Dosentin arvon englanninkielinen käännös |language=fi |trans-title=Translation of the title of docent into English |last1=Lajunen |first1=Lauri |last2=Savunen |first2=Liisa |date=11 February 2010 |publisher=Suomen yliopistot – Finlands universitet – Universities Finland UNIFI |access-date=11 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523220245/http://www.rectors-council.helsinki.fi/lausunnot_ja_kannanotot/lausunnot_2010/Unifi_suositus_DosentinArvoEnglanniksi.pdf |archive-date=23 May 2013}}</ref> of the ].<ref>. Helsinki.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> He also has a title of a docent in criminology at the ] and the ].<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017182219/http://notes.utu.fi/ty/webexper.nsf/031b9e8464cecb05c22564dd003abe2e/9b3aa972eae3fe4ec22573b700208d2b?OpenDocument |date=17 October 2008}}. Notes.utu.fi (13 May 2008). Retrieved 26 July 2012.</ref> | |||
== Private life == | |||
Johan Bäckman is a son of ''Erkki Bäckman'' who was a ] of ] beverage company.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/valismaa/johan-backmani-isa-teenis-mullu-17-miljonit-eurot.d?id=26733007|title=Johan Bäckmani isa teenis mullu 1,7 miljonit eurot|date=6 November 2009|work=]|language=et|access-date=28 July 2010}}</ref> Johan Bäckman has litigated over child custody against his Soviet-born ex-wife for years in which both parties have received sentences for ].<ref name="hs-johanonkumma"> | |||
{{cite journal |last1=Mäkinen |first1=Esa |title=Johan on kumma! |journal=Helsingin Sanomat |pages=C1 |date=6 December 2010 |language= fi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000002573138.html?share=e22514a7edc7755ce16a73528ba2b2cd|title=Kuka on Johan Bäckman? HS:n henkilökuva kiistellystä Venäjä-aktivistista vuodelta 2010|date=6 December 2010|website=Helsingin Sanomat}}</ref> Bäckman's current family consists of a girl and two boys. His wife is a ] and ] teacher.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Грибанова |first1=Татьяна |year=2010 |script-title=ru:Йохан Бекман: Моё хобби - это Россия |journal=Аиф Тамбов |volume=32 |issue=790 |url=http://tambov.aif.ru/issues/790/02_01 |access-date=6 December 2010 |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830121231/http://tambov.aif.ru/issues/790/02_01 |archive-date=30 August 2011}}</ref> According to Helsingin Sanomat, Bäckman had been treated with caution in the Finnish public media because he is sensitive to what he considers to be journalistic libels. According to the newspaper he has won a court case two times, but equally self-convicted of libel in July 2009.<ref Name="hs-johanonkumma"/> | |||
Bäckman wrote a letter to the editor saying he had won seven libel cases during past couple of years, not two, as the paper claimed. Bäckman wrote he won the cases against five persons, all of whom are female citizens of Finland.<ref>Helsingin Sanomat 16 December 2010</ref> | |||
== Personal life == | |||
Bäckman has a child from the previous relationship with '''Jaana Niemi'''. Niemi was born in the Soviet Union with Finnish origins, but was brought up in Russian culture. The family also spoke Finnish. In 1990, Niemi, then age of 15, moved from the Soviet Union to Finland. Bäckman and Niemi's relationship lasted six months and ended in a confrontational way. A daughter was born in 2004. Soon after, Bäckman sued Jaana Niemi, her parents and friends dozens of times. Most of cases ended in pretrial investigations, but Bäckman run a few cases by himself in a court. The Finnish court ] convicted Niemi once, and Bäckman was convicted twice. Niemi lives now in ], ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hs.fi/sunnuntai/B%C3%A4ckmanin+ex-naisyst%C3%A4v%C3%A4n+perheen+piina+jatkunut+kahdeksan+vuotta/a1354342057842 |title= Bäckmanin ex-naisystävän perheen piina jatkunut kahdeksan vuotta |publisher=Helsingin Sanomat | date= 2 December 2012 | language = fi}}</ref> | |||
], 19 January 2008]] | |||
In October 2018, the Helsinki District Court found Ilja Janitskin , Johan Bäckman and a woman guilty of sustained defamation against Aro. The final judgement said the two men had committed "an exceptionally aggravated set of crimes". Janitskin, the founder of the MV-Lehti website was sentenced to 22 months in jail on 16 criminal counts while Bäckman received a year's suspended jail sentence for aggravated defamation and stalking. | |||
Johan Bäckman is the son of Erkki Bäckman who was the ] of ] beverage company.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/valismaa/johan-backmani-isa-teenis-mullu-17-miljonit-eurot.d?id=26733007|title=Johan Bäckmani isa teenis mullu 1,7 miljonit eurot|date=6 November 2009|work=]|language=et|access-date=28 July 2010|archive-date=8 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108140746/http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/valismaa/johan-backmani-isa-teenis-mullu-17-miljonit-eurot.d?id=26733007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Johan Bäckman has litigated over child custody against his Soviet-born ex-wife for years in which both parties have received sentences for ].<ref name="hs-johanonkumma"> | |||
{{cite journal |last1=Mäkinen |first1=Esa |title=Johan on kumma! |journal=Helsingin Sanomat |pages=C1 |date=6 December 2010 |language= fi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000002573138.html?share=e22514a7edc7755ce16a73528ba2b2cd|title=Kuka on Johan Bäckman? HS:n henkilökuva kiistellystä Venäjä-aktivistista vuodelta 2010|date=6 December 2010|website=Helsingin Sanomat}}</ref> Bäckman's current family consists of a girl and two boys. His wife is a ] and ] teacher.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Грибанова |first1=Татьяна |year=2010 |script-title=ru:Йохан Бекман: Моё хобби - это Россия |script-journal=ru:Аиф Тамбов |volume=32 |issue=790 |url=http://tambov.aif.ru/issues/790/02_01 |access-date=6 December 2010 |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830121231/http://tambov.aif.ru/issues/790/02_01 |archive-date=30 August 2011}}</ref> According to ''Helsingin Sanomat'', Bäckman has been treated with caution in the Finnish public media because he is sensitive to what he considers to be journalistic libel. According to the newspaper he has won in court twice and he has also been convicted of libel twice in July 2009.<ref Name="hs-johanonkumma"/> | |||
Bäckman wrote a letter to the editor saying he had won seven libel cases during past couple of years, not two, as the paper claimed. Bäckman wrote he won the cases against five persons, all of whom are female Finnish citizens.<ref>Helsingin Sanomat 16 December 2010</ref> | |||
Bäckman has a child from a previous relationship with Jaana Niemi. Niemi was born in the Soviet Union with Finnish origins, but was brought up in Russian culture. The family also spoke Finnish. In 1990, Niemi, then aged 15, moved from the Soviet Union to Finland. Bäckman and Niemi's relationship lasted six months and ended in a confrontational way. A daughter was born in 2004. Soon after, Bäckman sued Jaana Niemi, her parents and friends dozens of times. Most of the cases ended in pretrial investigations, but Bäckman has represented himself in court in a few cases. The Finnish court ] convicted Niemi once, and Bäckman was convicted twice. Niemi lives now in ], ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hs.fi/sunnuntai/B%C3%A4ckmanin+ex-naisyst%C3%A4v%C3%A4n+perheen+piina+jatkunut+kahdeksan+vuotta/a1354342057842 |title= Bäckmanin ex-naisystävän perheen piina jatkunut kahdeksan vuotta |publisher=Helsingin Sanomat | date= 2 December 2012 | language = fi}}</ref> | |||
== Awards == | == Awards == | ||
* The highest legal award of Russia "Femida" (2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ruskline.ru/news_rl/2013/02/14/finskij_pravozawitnik_johan_bekman_nagrazhden_vysshej_yuridicheskoj_premiej_femida/|title=Финский правозащитник Йохан Бекман награжден высшей юридической премией "Фемида"|website=ruskline.ru}}</ref> | * The highest legal award of Russia "Femida" (2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ruskline.ru/news_rl/2013/02/14/finskij_pravozawitnik_johan_bekman_nagrazhden_vysshej_yuridicheskoj_premiej_femida/|title=Финский правозащитник Йохан Бекман награжден высшей юридической премией "Фемида"|website=ruskline.ru}}</ref> | ||
* |
* Russian Writers' Union literature prize "Polar Star" (2012)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rosvesty.ru/2106/upravlenie/8645-yohan-bekman-stal-laureatom-literaturnoy-premii-polyarnaya-zvezda/|script-title=ru:Йохан Бекман стал лауреатом литературной премии "Полярная Звезда"|first=Виктор|last=КОЛЫВАНСКИЙ|website=rosvesty.ru|access-date=9 March 2013|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232725/http://rosvesty.ru/2106/upravlenie/8645-yohan-bekman-stal-laureatom-literaturnoy-premii-polyarnaya-zvezda/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
* |
* Marshal Govorov literature prize (2004)<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.lenizdat.ru/a0/ru/pm1/c.thtml?i=1020504&p=0 |script-title=ru:В петербургском парламенте вручали литературную премию ко Дню Победы |date=6 May 2004 |publisher=Lenizdat.ru |access-date=20 August 2008 |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001714/http://www.lenizdat.ru/a0/ru/pm1/c.thtml?i=1020504&p=0 |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> | ||
== Works == | |||
==Works== | |||
* {{cite book | last=Bäckman |first = Johan | title=Venäjän organisoitu rikollisuus | location=Helsinki | publisher=Oikeuspoliittinen tutkimuslaitos | year=1996 | isbn= 951-704-191-8}} | * {{cite book | last=Bäckman |first = Johan | title=Venäjän organisoitu rikollisuus | location=Helsinki | publisher=Oikeuspoliittinen tutkimuslaitos | year=1996 | isbn= 951-704-191-8}} | ||
* {{cite book | last=Bäckman |first = Johan | title=Liikkeenjohto Venäjän muutoksessa | location=Helsinki | publisher=WSOY | year=1997 | isbn= 951-0-21672-0}} | * {{cite book | last=Bäckman |first = Johan | title=Liikkeenjohto Venäjän muutoksessa | location=Helsinki | publisher=WSOY | year=1997 | isbn= 951-0-21672-0}} | ||
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* {{cite book | last=Bäckman |first = Johan | title=Saatana saapuu Helsinkiin: Anna Politkovskajan murha ja Suomi | location=Helsinki | publisher=Russia Advisory Group | year=2007 | isbn= 978-952-99785-1-9}} | * {{cite book | last=Bäckman |first = Johan | title=Saatana saapuu Helsinkiin: Anna Politkovskajan murha ja Suomi | location=Helsinki | publisher=Russia Advisory Group | year=2007 | isbn= 978-952-99785-1-9}} | ||
== |
== See also == | ||
* ] 4 December 2008: | |||
==See also== | |||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | |||
== References == | |||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
== |
== Sources == | ||
* ] 4 December 2008: | |||
* {{Commons category-inline}} | |||
== External links == | |||
{{Commons category}} | |||
* | * | ||
* | * | ||
* | * | ||
* 18.2.2022 09:01, Päivitetty 18.2. 11:06, , Finnish Supreme Court: Johan Bäckman’s communication with journalist Jessikka Aro was persecution | |||
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Latest revision as of 14:55, 18 November 2024
Finnish political activist, propagandist, and author For the Finnish painter, see Johan Backman (painter).
Johan Bäckman | |
---|---|
Bäckman in 2012 | |
Born | (1971-05-18) 18 May 1971 (age 53) Porvoo, Finland |
Citizenship | Finland, Russia (since 2024) |
Alma mater | University of Helsinki |
Known for | Pro-Russian agenda, anti-Western propaganda |
Erkki Johan Bäckman (born 18 May 1971) is a Finnish and Russian political activist, propagandist, author, eurosceptic, and convicted stalker working for the Russian government. Bäckman has been a prominent Finnish propagandist in Russia who has actively participated in long-standing operations to propagate anti-Finnish and anti-Western Russian propaganda.
Bäckman has contentious views about Estonia, Latvia and Ukraine, and has been declared persona non grata and denied entry into Estonia, and has been expelled from Moldova. His books have been the subject of debate about Finnish-Soviet relations during the Cold War, the war history of Finland and the Soviet Union, organized crime in Estonia and the Russian Mafia, terrorism, and the history of Estonia. As a proclaimed spokesman for the Finnish Anti-Fascist Committee, he is against the integration policies of Estonia and Latvia, claiming they are "apartheid polities". On the whole, he does not recognize Estonia and Latvia as states.
Bäckman has supported Russia in the Russo-Ukrainian War. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine he has given statements to Russian media about the anti-Russian sentiment of the European Union and Britain. Bäckman has also claimed that Ukraine as a nation does not exist. Bäckman is also a member of the pro-Russian Power Belongs To The People party.
Russia
Bäckman has been a notable Finnish propagandist in Russia who has actively been involved in long-term operations to propagate anti-Finnish and anti-Western propaganda in Russia. His activity was tracked and reported by Helsingin Sanomat as part of an international investigative journalism collaboration project. The project was coordinated by OCCRP, a network of journalists specializing in crime and corruption, and The Intercept organization.
As revealed by the project, Bäckman has for years provided the Russian state radio and television company VGTRK with news material defaming Finland and other Western countries. VGTRK is the Kremlin's most important propaganda and disinformation disseminator which controls all of Russia's largest radio and television channels. Former Finnish Ambassador to Russia Hannu Himanen believes that Bäckman works as part of a global propaganda and disinformation network built by Russia.
Bäckman has frequently travelled to Russia since 1993, and is fluent in Russian. In 2000, he established a publishing institution named the Johan Beckman [sic] Institute in Saint Petersburg.
Bäckman serves Russian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS) as representative in Northern Europe. RISS is a Russian state funded research group led by a former Soviet intelligence officer.
On 21 October 2024 Bäckman got Russian citizenship.
Opinion of Vladimir Putin
In his 2007 book Finland Washed with Anna Politkovskaya's Blood (Finnish: Saatana saapuu Helsinkiin, Literally: Satan Arrives in Helsinki, which alludes to Saatana saapuu Moskovaan, the Finnish language title for The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov) he supported the conspiracy theory that Anna Politkovskaya assassination was organized as an attempt to smear the Russian president Vladimir Putin. Bäckman has hinted that Politkovskaya was depressed and ordered her own murder. According to Bäckman, Politkovskaya, a Russian writer and human rights activist, was an American agent. He also criticizes Finns' reaction to the murder. Bäckman accused Finnish Green League politician Heidi Hautala and the Finnish media of inciting hatred towards Russia and Vladimir Putin. Hautala, depicted on the book cover, saw this as a smear campaign, but refused to take legal action, preferring to allow the book to speak for itself.
Bäckman admires Vladimir Putin, crediting all recent successes of Russia to Putin's personality and health. He has compared Putin to Cold War-era Finnish president Urho Kekkonen, and claimed he wishes Putin would likewise rule Russia for 26 years. He stated that Finland also needs organizations such as the pro-Kremlin Nashi and Walking Together. According to Bäckman, the freedom of the press in Russia is considerably higher than in Finland, and Estonia is not free at all.
In Russian media
In a 2013 interview, the Finnish Academy chairman Arto Mustajoki said that Bäckman is five times more visible in the Russian media than then-Finnish Premier Jyrki Katainen or then-President Tarja Halonen. According to Mustajoki, Russians treat Bäckman as a "hero" because he defends Russian minorities in the Baltic States.
Estonia
Bäckman's work has been published in Finland and Estonia. Many of his published opinions are provocative and some have been regarded as pro-Putin and anti-Estonian by commentators in the Estonian press. Bäckman has stated that Estonia "does not exist" as a sovereign state.
According to Bäckman, the Estonians and Finns are actually one nation and the Republic of Estonia should be united with Finland where it could still have an autonomy.
The Bronze Soldier book
In his highly controversial book about the Estonian Bronze Soldier Pronssisoturi: Viron patsaskiistan tausta ja sisältö, published in Finnish in 2008, Bäckman disagrees with the integration policies of Estonia. In his opinion, Estonian integration policies that have seen some 147,000 Russian speakers receiving Estonian citizenship in the past decade are "apartheid" and represent a "criminal discrimination of Russians". In the Bronze Soldier he dismissed the Soviet occupation of Estonia as a "Nazi myth". Bäckman has gained publicity in Estonia for denying the Soviet occupation during 1940-1941 and 1944-1991:
"In my opinion speaking or writing of Soviet 'occupation' should be criminalised as a form of racist propaganda."
In connection to the publication of the book in September 2008, Bäckman gave several interviews, including one in which he claimed Estonia will join Russia within a decade. Bäckman also claimed that the "destruction" of the Bronze Soldier grave site and monument in April 2007 by the Estonian government was "the end of history of Estonia". He speculated that most of the Russian youth all over Russia, including children, hate Estonia and deny her the right to exist. Bäckman went on to predict that in ten years at most, the Nashi would come to power in Russia, leading to an end of the Estonian statehood shortly afterwards.
After the publication of the book, Finnish and Estonian cultural figures, scholars, journalists and politicians, including Henrik Lax, Lasse Lehtinen and Sofi Oksanen, addressed the University of Helsinki in an open letter of protest, partly in relation to Bäckman teaching a course on "specialities of Estonian legal policy" in the Spring 2009 semester. Bäckman immediately threatened to sue the letter's authors for libel and later filed a criminal complaint, but the Helsinki Police refused to open investigation. The former minister of foreign affairs of Finland Dr. Erkki Tuomioja called Bäckman's book as "deliberate provocation", but condemned the open letter for violating the principles of freedom of speech. The University of Helsinki distanced itself in a statement holding that Bäckman's political views are his own and do not represent the University's.
Estonian Internal Security Service and Bäckman
The Estonian Internal Security Service (Kaitsepolitseiamet) official Andres Kahar said in the Estonian press that Bäckman is "a Russian propagandist" spreading disinformation similar to claims made in Moscow.
In March 2009, the newspaper Eesti Ekspress reported a link between Bäckman and the Finnish neo-nazi Risto Teinonen, alleging both of them are connected to the reputed former KGB agent Vladimir Ilyashevich residing in Estonia, all of whom are linked to the Russian historian Alexander Dyukov. In the assessment by Kaitsepolitseiamet, Bäckman, Teinonen and Ilyashevich are working as a team with support from Moscow, attempting to undermine the names of many good people, the relations between Finland and Estonia, and the Republic of Estonia itself.
Finnish counter-intelligence has not commented on Bäckman publicly. Regarding Nashi demonstrations organised by Bäckman in Helsinki in March 2009, the Finnish security police spokesman replied they heard "rumours" about the demonstrations but would not comment on issues regarding free democratic activism.
Persona non-grata status in Estonia
On 26 April 2009, Bäckman was detained after his disembarkation from a ferry in the Tallinn Passenger Port and expelled from the country under an entry prohibition. The Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that Johan Bäckman has been declared persona non-grata in Estonia. Among reasons for expulsion, the Estonian Minister of Internal Affairs listed the first of all twelve statements by Bäckman in the Estonian press and in his blog, claiming Estonia is an "apartheid" regime that "falsifies" history. Helsingin Sanomat pointed out such prohibition against entry into Estonia by Finnish citizens is extremely rare. Previously such entry bans have been issued to some Finns suspected of connections with racist movements. In December 2010, Tallinn regional court declared entry prohibitions against Bäckman illegal and ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to compensate his legal fees in sum of 16,600 Estonian kroons.
On 29 July 2011, Bäckman was again denied entry into Estonia and sent back to Finland.
Finland
Bäckman has been a commentator of Finnish-Russian child custody and "grandmother cases" in Russian media. He has claimed that Finnish authorities persecute Russian mothers and take custody of their children without a reason. The Finnish Broadcasting Company Yle, quoting Timo Vihavainen, a professor of Russian history, speculated that this has happened due to fact that Bäckman's opinions match the interests of the Kremlin.
Bäckman was a commentator for the Russian press during the Anton incident in 2009. Later, Bäckman apologized for his behaviour, and promised not to further intervene in the incident. However, he later deleted his apology, continuing to comment on the case. He was also an active commentator for Russian press during the Rantala incident in 2010. Bäckman also received media time with grandmother and similar child custody cases in 2010.
Bäckman claims that children that are being taken care of by Finnish child protection authorities are living in "concentration camps", and explains that "this is a certain system of political terror". To explain why the rest of the world has not noticed this, he claims that "Children who get into these camps have special prohibitions for communications, they cannot tell us what is happening there." He states: "I think that the juvenile justice system, the system of a mass removal of children, is genocide of children". He has not provided numbers for how many children are supposed to have been killed in this alleged "genocide", and has not revealed any sources for his information.
In September 2014, he alleged that the Finnish authorities had unjustifiably taken custody of a daughter of a Russian mother, and that the mother would seek help from the Russian Children's Ombudsman Pavel Astahov, who has a background in KGB.
Journalist Jussi Konttinen of the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat characterised Johan Bäckman as a promising researcher in Russian studies in the early 2000s, who has since "marginalized" himself in Finland.
Bäckman's first public appearance was in the late 1980s when he played bassoon in the EBU Young Soloists Competition on national television. He also played bassoon in the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Opinion of the history of Finland
Bäckman is highly critical of the modern Finnish historiography of World War II and challenges the traditional Western account that Finland waged a separate Continuation War against the aggression of the USSR. According to Bäckman, the Finns participated in the Siege of Leningrad actively and asked Hitler to destroy the city. He speculates that Finland also planned an ethnic cleansing in Karelia in order to create a Finno-Ugric superpower (Greater Finland), possibly stretching as far as the Urals, or even to the river Yenisei, which he claimed is proven by vast amounts of documents and in several Finnish history books by Helge Seppälä, Osmo Hyytiä and Nikolai Baryshnikov.
Bäckman accuses Finland of being the aggressor in World War II: that it allied with Hitler in attacking the USSR in 1941 (Continuation War)—omitting the original source conflict (Winter War); plotted territorial expansion and planned to conduct ethnic cleansing; and that, along with the Estonians and Germans, believed in its Aryan origins (a Nordic master race). He contends Finns are both anti-Semitic and Russophobic, Russophobia being a "racist political ideology"—both per "several academic works by Finnish authors."
In March 2002, during a military historical festival in Suojärvi in the Republic of Karelia which was dedicated to the 62nd anniversary of the end of the Winter War, Bäckman made a sensational claim that the modern authorities of Finland propagated the idea that the Russian people are genetically inferior and expected Russia to collapse in about twenty years. The other participants at the festival considered that he unreasonably overestimated the extent of anti-Russian sentiment in Finland. According to Bäckman's article "Finland without a mask" (the title alludes to a 1943 proclamation by Otto Wille Kuusinen), published in Russian in May 2002, the Finns in general consider themselves a superior nation, all Russian women prostitutes, and all Russian men thieves and bandits. During 2002, Bäckman gained an odious reputation both in Russia and among his Finnish colleagues.
In 2002, Bäckman publicly accused the Foreign Ministry of Finland of Russophobia and racism. He claimed that the ministry was preparing a campaign to smear Russia and return the territories lost in the Paris Peace Treaty.
In 2003, Johan Beckman Institute published the book Finland and the Siege of Leningrad 1941-1944 by the Russian historian Nikolai Baryshnikov. The Saint Petersburg legislature awarded Bäckman their Marshal Govorov Literature Prize (2003) for the book. Historian Timo Vihavainen, a historian at the University of Helsinki described it as "a book built on Stalinist propaganda stereotypes". Vihavainen also said that Baryshnikov had misunderstood some of the language in Finnish archive documents. Bäckman and Baryshnikov threatened to sue Vihavainen.
Nashi protests in Helsinki
In March 2009, as a member of the Finnish Anti-Fascist Committee, Bäckman arranged a series of protests in Helsinki attended by activists of the Russian Nashi, and Night Watch organizations, against what they called the "opening a new anti-Russian front of information warfare on the territory of Finland by Estonian embassy." In addition, Abdullah Tammi and his followers from the prospective Finnish Islamic Party participated. The protests were aimed against seminars, against a book about the Soviet occupation of Estonia, and against films presented by the Estonian embassy in Finland, especially the film Soviet Story by Edvins Snore. In media commentaries for Swedish, Finnish and Russian press, television and radio, Bäckman claimed that the Soviet Union did not occupy Estonia, and belittled the significance of the Soviet deportations from Estonia.
Criminal conviction
Bäckman has criticized Yle journalist Jessikka Aro, who investigated pro-Russian Internet trolls, accusing her of "Russo-phobic" tendencies and claiming that she was "well-known assistant of American and Baltic special services." Presented statements led prosecutors to formally charge Bäckman for harassment and aggravated defamation of Aro. In October 2018, Bäckman received a 12-month suspended jail sentence for aggravated defamation and stalking. Bäckman said he would appeal the verdict. In February 2022, the Supreme Court of Finland upheld the verdict that Bäckman was guilty of stalking of Jessikka Aro, while the defamation charge was dropped. Bäckman was given a 60-day suspended prison sentence, and he was ordered to pay Aro a compensation of 9,000 euros and an additional 9,200 euros for her loss of earnings.
Ukraine
Bäckman has voiced support for Russia in the Russo-Ukrainian War. In March 2014, Bäckman was invited to participate as an observer by the Eurasian Observatory for Democracy & Elections (EODE), a far-right Russia-based self-proclaimed election monitoring organization, in the disputed Crimean status referendum, which resulted in the annexation of Crimea by Russia. Bäckman stated that he saw no violations and considered the referendum to be within the framework of international law.
He alleges to represent the separatist Donetsk People's Republic in Finland, and in May he announced that they will open a representative office in Helsinki. Bäckman claimed the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 shootdown was a United States provocation to justify a NATO intervention in Donbass conflict, and describes the Ukrainian government as "the Kiev junta".
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine he has given statements to Russian media outlets about the anti-Russian sentiment of the European Union and Britain, and claimed that Ukraine as a nation does not exist.
Bäckman has been involved in recruiting Finns for the war in eastern Ukraine on the Russian side.
Moldova
In May 2014, Bäckman was expelled from Moldova and received a five-year entry ban, as his activities were regarded as undermining Moldova's statehood.
Politics
Bäckman regards the Taistoists movement of the 1970s, the hardline pro-Soviet faction in the Communist Party of Finland, as "the best thing that happened in the history of Finland". He has said: "We can thank the Taistoists for high-quality science, art and culture we enjoy today". Bäckman was an independent candidate for European Parliament election in 2009 on the Workers Party of Finland list. He gained 554 votes, insufficient to gain a seat.
In March 2011, Bäckman announced he was a candidate for the 2011 Finnish parliamentary election on the Workers Party of Finland list. He gained 36 votes. In October 2012, he was a candidate in municipal elections in Espoo, gaining 43 votes.
In 2023, Bäckman is again running for the Finnish parliament, this time as a candidate for the pro-Russian Power Belongs to the People-party.
Academic career
He received his training in sociology at the University of Helsinki, where he defended his PhD in 2006, and has a title of a docent (not an indication of a teaching position or employment) of the sociology of law. He also has a title of a docent in criminology at the University of Turku and the University of Eastern Finland.
Personal life
Johan Bäckman is the son of Erkki Bäckman who was the Managing Director of Hartwall beverage company. Johan Bäckman has litigated over child custody against his Soviet-born ex-wife for years in which both parties have received sentences for libel. Bäckman's current family consists of a girl and two boys. His wife is a Russian language and literature teacher. According to Helsingin Sanomat, Bäckman has been treated with caution in the Finnish public media because he is sensitive to what he considers to be journalistic libel. According to the newspaper he has won in court twice and he has also been convicted of libel twice in July 2009. Bäckman wrote a letter to the editor saying he had won seven libel cases during past couple of years, not two, as the paper claimed. Bäckman wrote he won the cases against five persons, all of whom are female Finnish citizens.
Bäckman has a child from a previous relationship with Jaana Niemi. Niemi was born in the Soviet Union with Finnish origins, but was brought up in Russian culture. The family also spoke Finnish. In 1990, Niemi, then aged 15, moved from the Soviet Union to Finland. Bäckman and Niemi's relationship lasted six months and ended in a confrontational way. A daughter was born in 2004. Soon after, Bäckman sued Jaana Niemi, her parents and friends dozens of times. Most of the cases ended in pretrial investigations, but Bäckman has represented himself in court in a few cases. The Finnish court Hovioikeus convicted Niemi once, and Bäckman was convicted twice. Niemi lives now in Milan, Italy.
Awards
- The highest legal award of Russia "Femida" (2013)
- Russian Writers' Union literature prize "Polar Star" (2012)
- Marshal Govorov literature prize (2004)
Works
- Bäckman, Johan (1996). Venäjän organisoitu rikollisuus. Helsinki: Oikeuspoliittinen tutkimuslaitos. ISBN 951-704-191-8.
- Bäckman, Johan (1997). Liikkeenjohto Venäjän muutoksessa. Helsinki: WSOY. ISBN 951-0-21672-0.
- Bäckman, Johan (1998). The inflation of crime in Russia: The social danger of the emerging markets. Helsinki: National Research Institute of Legal Policy. ISBN 951-704-211-6.
- Bäckman, Johan (1999). "Sudella on sata tietä...": Pietarin organisoitu rikollisuus Venäjän rikosoikeuskulttuurin kehyksessä. Helsinki: Oikeuspoliittinen tutkimuslaitos. ISBN 951-704-240-X.
- Bäckman, Johan (2001). Entäs kun tulee se yhdestoista? Suomettumisen uusi historia. Helsinki: WSOY. ISBN 951-0-25654-4.
- Bäckman, Johan (2006). Itämafia: Uhkakuvapolitiikka, rikosilmiöt ja kulttuuriset merkitykset. Espoo: Poliisiammattikorkeakoulu. ISBN 951-815-112-1.
- Bäckman, Johan (2007). Saatana saapuu Helsinkiin: Anna Politkovskajan murha ja Suomi. Helsinki: Russia Advisory Group. ISBN 978-952-99785-1-9.
See also
References
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"Johan Backman says that he continues to help Finns who have gone to Eastern Ukraine to fight. He does not feel responsible for the people he recruits." Johan Bäckman is an important central figure for Finnish fighters, who had organized their travel from Finland to the Donbas and engaged them in illegal activities there. Janus Kostia Putkonen arrived in Donbas from Moscow via Rostov, southern Russia, in March 2015.
- "Finnish human rights activist Backman deported from Moldova, banned entry for five years". Interfax. 29 May 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- Bruun, Staffan (22 March 2009). "Han bjöd in 30 Putinunga" (in Swedish). Hufvudstadsbladet. Archived from the original on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
- "EUROPARLAMENTTIVAALIT 7.6.2009 - Tulos - Koko maa" (in Finnish). vaalit.fi (the Official Results by the Ministry of Justice). Archived from the original on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2009.
- Iltasanomat: Huoltajuuskiistasta tuttu Rimma Salonen pyrkii eduskuntaan Archived 26 May 2012 at archive.today. Iltasanomat.fi (3 March 2011). Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- Safka blogi: Jussi Parviainen, Johan Bäckman, Juha Molari, Rimma Salonen ovat SAFKAn eduskuntavaaliehdokkaat!. Antifasistit.blogspot.com. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- Electoral district of Helsinki Archived 28 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Official results of Finnish Justice Ministry
- http://vaalit.yle.fi/tulospalvelu/2012/kuntavaalit/ehdokkaat/ehdokas_2_49_582.html Yle results of candidate Bäckman, Johan
- "VKK-puolue yrittää saada dosentti Johan Bäckmanin eduskuntaan". Demokraatti. 24 March 2023.
- Johan Bäckman: Itämafia Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Ethesis.helsinki.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- Lajunen, Lauri; Savunen, Liisa (11 February 2010). "Dosentin arvon englanninkielinen käännös" [Translation of the title of docent into English] (PDF) (in Finnish). Suomen yliopistot – Finlands universitet – Universities Finland UNIFI. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 May 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
- Oikeustieteellinen tiedekunta. Helsinki.fi. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- Asiantuntija: Johan Bäckman Archived 17 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Notes.utu.fi (13 May 2008). Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- "Johan Bäckmani isa teenis mullu 1,7 miljonit eurot". Delfi (in Estonian). 6 November 2009. Archived from the original on 8 November 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- "Kuka on Johan Bäckman? HS:n henkilökuva kiistellystä Venäjä-aktivistista vuodelta 2010". Helsingin Sanomat. 6 December 2010.
- Грибанова, Татьяна (2010). Йохан Бекман: Моё хобби - это Россия. Аиф Тамбов (in Russian). 32 (790). Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
- Helsingin Sanomat 16 December 2010
- "Bäckmanin ex-naisystävän perheen piina jatkunut kahdeksan vuotta" (in Finnish). Helsingin Sanomat. 2 December 2012.
- "Финский правозащитник Йохан Бекман награжден высшей юридической премией "Фемида"". ruskline.ru.
- КОЛЫВАНСКИЙ, Виктор. Йохан Бекман стал лауреатом литературной премии "Полярная Звезда". rosvesty.ru. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
- В петербургском парламенте вручали литературную премию ко Дню Победы (in Russian), Lenizdat.ru, 6 May 2004, archived from the original on 27 September 2007, retrieved 20 August 2008
Sources
- eesti.ca 4 December 2008: Jarmo Virmavirta: väljakutse iseseisvusele PM
External links
- Johan Bäckman in Estonian Research Portal
- Johan Bäckman at the University of Turku
- Авторы Центр координации «Новая Русь»
- 1971 births
- Living people
- Finnish male bloggers
- Finnish political activists
- Finnish sociologists
- Historical negationism
- Finnish conspiracy theorists
- People from Porvoo
- Russophilia
- Anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Finland
- Finland–Russia relations
- Finland–Ukraine relations
- Finnish eurosceptics
- Propaganda in the Russo-Ukrainian War
- Finnish propagandists
- Naturalized citizens of Russia