Prosecutor demands multi-year prison sentences in Rovaniemi sword attack trial

A prosecutor has called for prison terms of nine to ten years for three men charged in connection with a sword attack outside a Rovaniemi nightclub in March, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports. The Lapland District Court trial, which resumed Monday after delays, is expected to conclude with final statements and testimony.

The attack occurred on March 13 outside Ravintola Pisto, where one of the accused struck a man with a katana—a traditional Japanese samurai sword. The victim, mistaken for an intended target, was unrelated to the assailants. Two men are listed as injured parties: the victim and the actual intended target.

All three defendants face charges of attempted murder and preparation of a severe assault. Prosecutors allege the attack stemmed from unresolved drug debts, with the group seeking repayment from the intended target. The men reportedly believed their target was inside the nightclub and forcibly removed the wrong person, assaulting him outside.

The defendants claim the sword was brought only as an intimidation tactic and deny attempted murder. One accused, who wielded the weapon, called emergency services afterward, falsely claiming to have killed the victim—later admitting he exaggerated to ensure swift arrest. The over one-meter-long katana was recovered from snow near the scene.

Proceedings were delayed last week after one defendant and a witness failed to appear. Police located and brought both to court Friday. Maija Aaron, prosecutor for Northern Finland, called such cases of mistaken-identity violence “extremely rare.” A verdict is expected following Monday’s closing arguments.