Four charged over alleged abuse at Kajaani care unit

Prosecutors in Finland have received a case involving four staff members accused of abusing three intellectually disabled residents at a care unit in Kajaani, Yle reports.

The alleged offences took place between September 2025 and February 2026 at the Rajamiehentie unit, operated by the Kainuu wellbeing services county. Two staff members face charges of assault and breach of official duty, one faces charges of defamation and breach of official duty, and one faces charges of coercion and defamation. All deny the allegations.

Regional prosecutor Petri Oulasmaa confirmed the timeline, stating that two alleged offences occurred in September 2025, one in October 2025, and one in February 2026. The victims were all adult residents of the unit.

The case emerged in May when police began investigating reports of staff misconduct. The wellbeing services county has since implemented personnel and operational changes at the unit. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the alleged incidents.

The regional state administrative agency for health and welfare (LVV) has the matter under regulatory review. Prosecutors have not yet estimated when the pre-trial investigation will conclude.