Two charged with aggravated human trafficking and extortion in Lapua case

A trial opened Tuesday in South Ostrobothnia District Court against a man and a woman accused of aggravated human trafficking and aggravated extortion in Lapua, western Finland, state broadcaster Yle reports.

The defendants, born in 1997 and 1998, allegedly held an adult male victim under their control and subjected him to conditions that violated his human dignity. Prosecutors claim the pair extracted thousands of euros from the victim through criminal means, along with other financial gains such as goods. Police have stated the victim was also subjected to violence.

Both suspects have been in custody since February. The man faces additional prior convictions, primarily for fraud—including selling nonexistent electronics and festival tickets online—along with unpaid debts, drug offenses, and drink-driving violations. The woman’s record includes multiple thefts, unauthorized taxi operations, aggravated drink-driving, and drug use convictions.

On Monday, the same court addressed separate charges against the woman, including robbery, theft, and illegal threats, unrelated to the human trafficking case.

Aggravated human trafficking carries a minimum sentence of two years and a maximum of ten years under Finnish law. The investigation began last winter during an unrelated police operation.