Two men face murder trial six years after Seinäjoki killing

The trial of two men accused of murdering a Seinäjoki resident is beginning nearly six years after the killing, Yle reports.

The victim, a man in his forties, disappeared in November 2020. His body was found in June 2021 in the basement of an apartment block in the Kasperi district of Seinäjoki. Police initially investigated his disappearance, then treated the case as manslaughter before changing the charge to murder after the body was found.

Police said the man died after suffering severe external violence. Four people from the same group were suspected during the investigation, but prosecutors say there was not enough evidence to charge two of them. The men now facing murder charges are 35 and 55.

Both defendants have criminal records. The 35-year-old is also charged with a separate killing in May and has convictions including aggravated assault, unlawful threats and firearms offences. The 55-year-old has convictions including manslaughter and more than a dozen offences involving assault, intimate partner violence, arson and death threats.

The Ostrobothnia Police investigated the case for more than five years, carrying out extensive forensic and tactical inquiries. In summer 2021, police repeatedly sought the detention of five people in connection with the case, but the district court released them. The South Ostrobothnia District Court has set aside three days for the trial.

Yle is following the proceedings.