Janice R. Andrews
The BBC recently confronted Charles-Emmanuel Mikko Rasanen, a 20-year-old Finnish neo-Nazi, for his involvement in inciting violence during UK riots. Operating under the alias “Mr AG,” Rasanen shared arson instructions with UK rioters via the Telegram platform.
Southport Wake Up: A Catalyst for Chaos
Following the tragic deaths of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29, the Telegram group “Southport Wake Up” was formed. This group, which quickly amassed over 14,000 members, became a hub for organizing protests that devolved into riots across England and Northern Ireland.
Rasanen, acting as a key administrator from his Helsinki apartment, shared violent content including an arson manual authored by a Russian fascist group. This manual, which targeted Muslim and Jewish communities and provided tips for evading law enforcement, was prominently displayed in the group chat.
From Online Extremism to Real-World Violence
Southport Wake Up played a crucial role in coordinating protests, starting with the initial demonstration on St. Luke’s Road in Southport. The group’s influence spread rapidly, fueling riots with a toxic mix of misinformation and racist propaganda before Telegram moderators eventually shut it down.
Rasanen’s involvement in neo-Nazi circles predated the Southport Wake Up group. He regularly shared content glorifying Hitler and promoted the Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM), a banned neo-Nazi organization. His role in the UK riots elevated him from an isolated extremist to a figure with significant real-world influence.
Far-Right Connections and Legal Challenges
Rasanen was also linked to the British far-right group Patriotic Alternative (PA). While PA distanced itself from content shared in other Telegram groups, they admitted that Rasanen’s posts on their public channels were deemed acceptable.
When confronted by the BBC at his Helsinki apartment, Rasanen refused to answer questions and contacted local police. His location in Finland complicates matters for UK authorities, as there is currently no extradition agreement between the two countries.
The Role of Online Platforms
Telegram’s lax moderation policies allowed Southport Wake Up to grow rapidly and spread dangerous content unchecked. While the platform eventually removed the group, the incident highlights the ongoing challenge of curbing extremist content online.
Conclusion
This case underscores the global threat posed by online extremists and the rapid spread of hateful ideologies through digital platforms. It demonstrates the urgent need for more effective measures to prevent the internet from becoming a breeding ground for division and violence.
