Prosecutor seeks suspended sentence for human trafficking in Lieto, Finland

A prosecutor is seeking a suspended prison sentence and fines for a foreign-national man charged with human trafficking in Lieto, Varsinais-Suomi. According to the indictment, the accused exploited the vulnerable situation of one adult and two minors who had illegally immigrated to Finland. He housed the three individuals in his apartment, coercing them into forced labor dismantling cars at a garage he rented. Initially, the victims were paid €370 for six months of work, after which their wages ceased entirely.

The alleged crimes took place between June 2011 and January 2012. The prosecutor’s statement outlines that the victims worked from morning until evening without breaks or holidays, facing harsh conditions, including working outside in severe cold without access to electricity, light, or heating indoors. Additionally, there were serious safety lapses, with no protective gear used. One victim sustained an injury during work but was denied medical attention to prevent the case from coming to the police’s notice.

The victims reportedly scavenged food from store dumpsters to survive. When they raised concerns about their working conditions, the accused threatened them with imprisonment and police involvement, as they were unfamiliar with the Finnish legal system. The case was scheduled to be heard in the Varsinais-Suomi District Court this week but has been postponed.