Finnish court to deliver verdict in Polarica berry firm human trafficking case

A district court in Finnish Lapland will issue its ruling Monday in a high-profile human trafficking trial against berry company Polarica Marjahankinta Oy and two of its former executives.

Prosecutors have charged the company’s ex-CEO Jukka Kristo and his Thai business partner with nearly 80 counts of aggravated human trafficking. Both defendants face demands for at least five years in prison without parole, though each has denied wrongdoing.

According to the prosecution, Kristo and his associate recruited victims from Thailand to Finland, where they were forced to pick berries from early morning until late evening without rest days. The case has been heard in Rovaniemi District Court.

State broadcaster Yle reported the verdict is expected later today.