The Finnish Union of Conscientious Objectors said Tuesday that a Kainuu corporal might become the first woman to face prison for refusing to carry out her national service.

The corporal announced on Independence Day, 6 December, that she would refuse to carry out civilian as well as military national service, having signed up voluntarily last year. The Finnish Defence Forces said the case was unprecedented.

National service is obligatory for Finnish men, with voluntary service introduced for women in 1995. A number of human rights groups have condemned Finland for jailing conscientious objectors.

STT