Simon Ekpa, a local politician in Lahti, Finland, is now facing a serious terrorism trial. The Finnish prosecutor is asking the court to give him a prison sentence of at least six years.

This case is important because it’s the first time Finland has used this specific terrorism law in court.

Ekpa was born in Nigeria’s Biafra region and moved to Finland in 2007. He is being accused of being part of a terrorist group and encouraging others to commit violent crimes for terrorist reasons.

The prosecutor said Ekpa used social media and online posts to support violent actions by Biafran separatists in Nigeria. According to the state prosecutor Sampsa Hakala, Ekpa’s goal was to scare people living in southeastern Nigeria and force the Nigerian government to pull its soldiers out of that region.

Hakala told Finland’s national broadcaster, Yle, that there’s a large amount of online evidence, including communications and posts, that shows what Ekpa did. The prosecutor believes this evidence gives a clear picture of his involvement.

In court, the prosecution also said that Ekpa, while living in Finland, gave orders and helped send weapons to armed groups in Nigeria. There are three versions of the charges under different legal categories, all related to terrorism.

Ekpa has denied all the accusations made against him.

His lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus, said that the court must look closely at whether Ekpa truly had any role in the violence in Nigeria. He also questioned how trustworthy the information from Nigeria is.

Besides the terrorism case, Ekpa is also facing other serious charges. He is accused of major tax fraud and breaking Finland’s rules for legal professionals. These extra charges will be dealt with in court after the Midsummer holiday.

The court proceedings began on Friday with a morning hearing. Later in the day, the prosecutor presented social media messages that Ekpa is said to have posted on platform X, which used to be called Twitter.

The court has set aside several days for the main hearing to review all the details of the case.

Ekpa has been living in Finland since 2007. He used to be an athlete and has also been active in politics. He is a member of the National Coalition Party and was part of the board that manages Lahti’s public transportation.

This case could set a new legal example in Finland. It may also influence how countries work together to stop terrorism and the spread of violent messages online.