Court orders mental health evaluation for man accused of arson in Oulu

The Oulu District Court has ordered a mental health evaluation for a man accused of arson in his own apartment. The man, in his sixties, caused significant damage by setting fire to his residence in Oulu’s Maikkula district last May. Two apartments in a block of flats were completely destroyed, while others sustained damage. Residents of the building were evacuated during the fire.

The trial began yesterday. The prosecutor is seeking a prison sentence of several years for aggravated arson. In contrast, the man requested a mental health evaluation during the court proceedings. He has admitted to igniting the fire but denies that his intention was to endanger or harm others. The man stated that he was experiencing mental health issues and was suicidal at the time of the incident.

The district court made its decision regarding the mental health evaluation in a provisional ruling announced at the end of yesterday’s hearing. The case will continue once the evaluation is completed.