District court delivers verdict in Finland’s largest hunting crime case. Photo: Matias Honkamaa / Str / Lehtikuva
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A Finnish court has delivered suspended prison sentences, hunting bans, and fines to 26 men in the country’s largest poaching trial.
The North Savo district court ruled on Monday that the crimes, which included the killing of protected wolves, lynxes, and birds, primarily took place in Lapinlahti, North Savo, between 2019 and 2023.
The trial involved 31 defendants facing a range of charges including serious hunting offences, environmental protection violations, and weapons offences.
Police accused the group of shooting three wolves, six lynxes, a wolverine, and several protected birds, such as whooper swans and goshawks.
The heaviest punishment handed down was an 18-month suspended prison sentence for a 60-year-old man. Five of the charges were dismissed.
Prosecutors had sought convictions on 14 serious hunting offences, three cases of gross concealment of illegal game, three additional hunting offences, five environmental protection breaches, and several weapons-related charges.
The defendants ranged in age from 24 to 75. Among them was a former local councillor who stepped down after the charges became public.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
