OFF THE WIRE
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2011/06/supreme_court_bandidos_mc_not_a_crime_group_2663347.html
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Bandidos Helsinki motorcycle gang and its associated Support-Helsinki club are not criminal organisations.
The high court ruled on Tuesday that although several members of the group have been found guilty of serious drug and other offenses, that does mean that the club was specifically organised to carry out crimes.
Despite this ruling, the court declined to shorten the sentences of several gang members who are serving long prison stints for drug crimes.
The case dates back to the summer of 2007 when police seized nearly 10 kilos' worth of amphetamines in the towns of Rajatorppa and Tervalampi. Several biker gang members and another person who actively took part in club activities were handed prison sentences of between four and nearly 11 years. The toughness of the sentences was partly based on the men have been members of an organised crime group.
The Supreme Court noted that the men were not found to have committed the crimes in the club's name or while wearing club insignia. Nor were the profits from the crimes directed to the club or divided among its members.
The Bandidos, founded in Texas in 1966, have been classified as an outlaw gang by authorities in several countries.
