Finland's premier apologizes over new viral party photo

By Rabia Iclal Turan

ISTANBUL (AA) – Following controversies over other party footage that went viral, Finland’s prime minister on Tuesday apologized over a photo taken by her friends at a July party at her official residence.

"In my opinion that photo is not appropriate, I apologize … that photo shouldn't have been taken," Sanna Marin told reporters in Helsinki during an annual meeting of Finnish ambassadors serving abroad.

The photo, which went viral on social media this week, shows two women kissing with a sign saying "Finland" covering their breasts. Marin is not in the picture.

Marin, 36, confirmed that photos were taken at her Kesaranta residence following a music festival in early July, saying that on that day they had "sauna, swam and spent time together."

The photos came after another leaked video of the Marin partying with various Finnish celebrities and public figures went viral last week.

Marin said the videos were private and filmed in a private residence a few weeks ago.

In a drug test to disprove allegations that she used drugs at the party, Marin tested negative, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's office Tuesday,

Marin has not apologized for the earlier party footage, and her defenders say she did nothing wrong.