HELSINKI’S DEPUTY MAYOR CAUGHT SPRAY-PAINTING GRAFFITI

Paavo Arhinmaki was caught red-handed by security guards over the weekend painting inside a train tunnel in Helsinki, Finland.

Besides the fact that it’s a criminal offence to do so in the city, Arhinmaki also happens to be the deputy mayor.

The deputy mayor responsible for culture and leisure in the capital issued a statement admitting guilt after it surfaced that he and a friend had been caught after painting inside a train tunnel leading to a harbour.

Arhinmaki apologised for “this stupid foolishness of mine. I’m asking for forgiveness”. He added that he and his friend were both inspired by the graffiti on the walls of Pasila, an area in the city known for its urban art.

CNN reports that a spokesperson for the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency told the news outlet that it cost the agency almost R71,000 to clean the graffiti from a concrete slab inside the tunnel.

The spokesperson continued that there is an ongoing police investigation regarding the matter and its consequences. In Helsinki, the costs of cleaning up are collected from the guilty party/parties once the police investigation is completed.

Image credit: Turkiye Newspaper