Finnish court dismisses human trafficking charges but convicts on serious deprivation of liberty

South Ostrobothnia District Court has dismissed human trafficking charges against a man and a woman in Lapua, Yle reports.

The pair were accused of offences against an adult male victim between late December and early February. While the court cleared them of human trafficking, it convicted them of aggravated deprivation of liberty, aggravated extortion, fraud, and aggravated blackmail, along with additional counts including theft, shoplifting, and drink-driving.

The woman, born in 1998, received a sentence of 1 year, 11 months, and 10 days in prison. The man, born in 1997, was sentenced to 1 year and 9 months. Prosecutors had sought at least 3.5 years of unconditional imprisonment for each on charges including aggravated human trafficking and aggravated blackmail.

Both defendants had prior convictions. The man’s record includes multiple fraud offences—such as selling non-existent goods online, including electronics and festival tickets—as well as unpaid rents, clothing, phone subscriptions, a drug offence, and drink-driving. The woman had previous convictions for theft, shoplifting, unauthorised taxi operations, aggravated drink-driving, and drug use.