Finnish appeals court reduces sentences in Roma family feud shooting case

The Eastern Finland Court of Appeal has overturned convictions for aggravated preparation of a violent crime against two Roma men involved in a family feud that escalated into a shooting in Iisalmi, Yle reports. The court ruled the risk of the planned crime being carried out was minimal, as it depended on the other party’s willingness to confront them.

A feud between two Roma families led to a shooting in May 2024, when a man was shot in the leg at a service station in Iisalmi. Three days later, the victim and another man set out on a retaliatory trip, armed with knives, pistols, a revolver, a spade, and a baseball bat. Police intercepted them before they reached Iisalmi.

The appeals court dismissed charges of aggravated preparation of a crime against life or health, citing insufficient evidence that the threats would materialise. However, the men received shorter prison terms for firearms offences. One was sentenced to three months for illegal possession of a weapon, while the other, who drove the vehicle, received five months for firearms violations, aggravated drunk driving, and driving without a licence.

A lower court had previously sentenced the men to six months and 13 months in prison, respectively. The families involved had a long-standing dispute, with two individuals already convicted in January 2024—both were incarcerated at the time of the retaliatory attempt.

The ruling is not yet legally binding.