Court orders Martinlaakso murder suspect held in absentia

A district court in Eastern Uusimaa has ordered a man remanded in custody in absentia over a killing in Martinlaakso, Vantaa, in late August, Yle reports.

The suspect is a man in his early 20s who lives in Finland. Police believe he left the country soon after the killing on Wednesday, 26 August. Authorities are seeking to locate him through international cooperation, Detective Chief Inspector Sanna Rentola said.

Police are investigating the death as a murder. The victim, also a man in his early 20s, was killed in his apartment.

Being remanded in custody in absentia means a person can be ordered held on suspicion of a crime without appearing in court.