Knifeman held close to Finnish PM

Security guards stopped a knife-wielding man from approaching the Finnish prime minister Jyrki Katainen while he was campaigning for municipal elections.

"The man was stopped before he reached the Prime Minister. He didn't have time to stab him," said a government spokesman. "Katainen will continue his duties as normal."

The incident happened in the city of Turku, where Mr Katainen was campaigning. Police said the man, in his 30s, was in a crowd of people in the city centre when he "suddenly wielded a knife."

"The man did not behave aggressively or directly threaten the prime minister or others nearby," police said.

AP