(Yle) Fledgling politician Hussein al-Taee, who was recently elected to parliament on a Social Democratic Party ticket, has come under intense scrutiny over old Facebook posts about the situation in the Middle East.
Among other things, the new MP from Vantaa appeared to compare Israel to the extremist group Isis and to endorse content posted by a pro-Russia advocate who was sanctioned by Ukraine over his apparent support for the illegal annexation of Crimea, according to reports last Thursday by STT news agency.
Al-Taee has not disputed the veracity of his comments in the open Facebook group in which they were posted.
“I want to apologise for comparing Israel to Isis, because the comment was simply stupid and it does not in any way represent my opinions or values,” al-Taee told STT.
