Trial begins for restaurant owner Pan Yilei in human trafficking case in Lappeenranta

In the human trafficking trial in Lappeenranta, the accused is local restaurant owner Pan Yilei. According to prosecutors, he deceived a Chinese man he knew in business deals and forced him to work excessively long hours at his restaurant. The events in question took place between 2014 and 2016. Pan Yilei has denied the allegations.

The South Karelia District Court has been examining the prosecutor’s claims since Monday. A key issue in the trial is whether the victim fell under the defendant’s control as defined under human trafficking law.

During the proceedings, the Chinese victim, witnesses, and Pan Yilei provided testimonies. In court, Yilei detailed the events leading up to the alleged deception in business dealings, stating that he wanted to help a man he considered a friend obtain a permanent residence permit in Finland. The two men met in 2006 while studying at Saimaan University of Applied Sciences in Lappeenranta.

The accused mentioned that he encouraged the man to become an entrepreneur and work in his restaurant, believing that this might allow the man to extend his residence permit. However, the Chinese man later reported the business deals and long working hours to the police. Prosecutors allege that Yilei exploited his friend’s difficult situation to defraud him into becoming a partner in two different companies. The defense contended that the man’s ownership in the businesses was legitimate.

Another significant topic discussed at trial was the working hours of foreign-background chefs at Yilei’s restaurant. The prosecution claims that the victim and other Chinese chefs worked excessively long hours, a claim Yilei denies. Evidence was presented in court, showing that the chefs’ working hours were in line with contractual agreements, but the victim’s lawyer raised doubts about the authenticity of the work schedule.

This case has broader implications as Yilei operates businesses in Lappeenranta and had been a contract partner with the city until September. He stated that the police investigation and trial have hindered his business activities and negatively impacted his restaurants.