Finnish minister announces boycott "for political reasons"

Helsinki Finland's sports minister, Paavo Arhinmaki, says he will not attend the opening ceremony at the Sochi Winter Olympics. He also revealed that his reasons are "political." Finnish minister announces boycott "for political reasons" Arhinmaki says politicians should not go to Sochi to "support human rights violations, restrictions to freedom of speech and the oppression of sexual minorities." However, he said he might go to the games later to show support to Finnish athletes. Many have called for a boycott of the Sochi Games because of Russia's law banning homosexual propaganda, and concerns about environmental issues and violations of human rights. Last week, Sweden sports minister Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth said she would not attend the opening ceremony. The Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi February 7-23. (Beta/AP, file) Beta AP

Finnish minister announces boycott "for political reasons"

Arhinmaki says politicians should not go to Sochi to "support human rights violations, restrictions to freedom of speech and the oppression of sexual minorities."

However, he said he might go to the games later to show support to Finnish athletes.

Many have called for a boycott of the Sochi Games because of Russia's law banning homosexual propaganda, and concerns about environmental issues and violations of human rights.

Last week, Sweden sports minister Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth said she would not attend the opening ceremony.

The Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi February 7-23.