The officer's authority to execute soldiers refusing to obey commands or fleeing from combat was exercised only in 13 cases. The most famous case is the execution of conscientious objector Arndt Pekurinen in autumn 1941, who was also the penultimate Finn ever to be executed for civilian crimes (conscientious objection during wartime was considered high treason).
The officer's authority to execute soldiers refusing orders or fleeing combat was exercised in only 13 instances. The most notable case is the execution of conscientious objector Arndt Pekurinen in autumn 1941, who was also the last Finn ever executed for civilian crimes (conscientious objection during wartime was considered high treason).