Finnish court rejects early release request from youth worker convicted of child rape

A Finnish appeals court has upheld a lower court’s decision to keep a former youth worker imprisoned while his conviction for three counts of child rape is under review, rejecting his request for release.

The Vaasa Court of Appeal ruled on Friday that Kenneth Harry Cristian Parkkonen, 31, must remain in custody pending his appeal hearing, Yle reports. Parkkonen had argued that his continued detention—now exceeding four months—was disproportionate and unjustified.

In February, the Central Finland District Court sentenced Parkkonen, who worked as a youth counsellor in Jämsä, to four years and eight months in prison for three child rapes and possession of sexually explicit images of a child. He has appealed the verdict, demanding either acquittal or a reduced sentence.

Prosecutors opposed Parkkonen’s release request, arguing it lacked merit. The appeals court agreed, affirming the district court’s reasoning that a prison term exceeding two years justified detention without violating proportionality.

The crimes occurred in October 2025 while Parkkonen was employed by the city of Jämsä. Following his arrest, the municipality confirmed he was no longer in its employ. Jämsä officials stated that students at Jämsänkoski Comprehensive School received enhanced youth support services during the case.