Lapua human trafficking investigation completed, two suspected of aggravated offences

Finnish police have concluded a major criminal investigation in Lapua, western Finland, involving suspicions of aggravated human trafficking and extortion, national broadcaster Yle reports.

Two individuals, a man and a woman both born in the 1990s, are suspected of aggravated human trafficking, aggravated extortion, fraud, and drug offences. Both were remanded in custody by South Ostrobothnia District Court in February. They have denied the allegations during the pre-trial investigation.

According to investigators, the suspects gained thousands of euros in financial benefit through their actions. The victim was allegedly placed under their control and exploited to commit crimes indirectly.

Rikskommissarie Juha Napparinen of the police stated that identifying human trafficking was particularly challenging in this case. “The key factor in human trafficking crimes is restricting or exploiting the victim’s freedom and self-determination,” he said in a press release. “The investigation revealed that the victim was subjected to degrading conditions and used in criminal activities.”

The victim was also physically assaulted, according to the findings. Police intervened at an early stage after the case came to light during another police operation. The victim has been referred to support services and is reported to have suffered significantly from the ordeal.

The pre-trial investigation spanned nearly 700 pages of documentation. The case has now been forwarded to prosecutors for consideration of charges.