Court resumes hearings in human trafficking case involving Pan Yilei in Lappeenranta

The South Karelia District Court will resume hearings today for a human trafficking case that has been suspended for nearly three years. The court has repeatedly postponed sessions due to the inability of the victim, a Chinese national, to travel from his home country to attend. However, this time, the situation has changed. The victim confirmed he is traveling to Lappeenranta for the trial.

“I have carried the weight of this issue for eight years. These years have significantly affected my mental health,” he expressed.

The case involves Pan Yilei, a well-known local restaurant entrepreneur, who was charged with human trafficking concerning one individual in November 2021. The investigation began in 2016 after a former employee reported to the police that he had been deceived while working at Yilei’s restaurant in Lappeenranta. The prosecutor believes the circumstances meet the criteria for human trafficking.

Since the charges were filed, proceedings have stalled. Despite the ongoing investigation, the defendant’s name has been disclosed due to prior coverage of his alleged misconduct. In May, reports indicated that a large number of employees from Yilei’s restaurant company resigned due to payment and working condition issues. Last month, the City of Lappeenranta terminated its contract with the company regarding restaurant services and reported alleged tax document forgery to the police.

According to the prosecutor, Yilei tricked the victim into purchasing a share of his business worth approximately €100,000, which was supposed to enhance the victim’s chances of extending his residency permit in Finland. The victim ended up working six to seven days a week for minimal pay, leaving him unable to integrate into society or understand his rights.

The court has scheduled four days this week for the proceedings and will hear six witnesses. The prosecutor is seeking an 8 to 10-month suspended prison sentence for Yilei. Experts emphasize that participating in legal proceedings can be overwhelming for victims, particularly if they have left Finland.

In such cases, filing a report is often the only way for victims to reclaim lost wages, and the length of the legal process usually comes as a surprise, potentially deterring them from pursuing justice. It is crucial that these trials are completed, as the prospect of legal consequences can prevent similar crimes from happening again.