Lapland District Court has handed two berry company executives unconditional prison terms after finding them guilty of aggravated human trafficking crimes.
Vernu Vasunta, the CEO of berry firm Kiantama, received a three-and-a-half-year prison term for 62 counts of aggravated human trafficking.
The company's Thai coordinator, Kalyakorn "Durian" Phongphit, was handed a three-year sentence for the crimes.
The crimes in question were committed in 2022, while charges were formally filed last year.
During testimony, the court heard that the berry pickers were already in debt to the company when they arrived in Finland, as they were overcharged for flights, visas and food.
The firm itself, which arranged the arrival of Thai workers to pick berries in Finland, was ordered to pay a fine of 100,000 euros.
Damages and losses
The two defendants were also ordered to jointly pay 30,000 euros in compensation to the state for the collection of evidence, as well as 279,000 euros in damages to affected workers. In addition, the pair were ordered to pay more than 600,000 euros to the affected parties for their financial losses and suffering.
Vasunta was separately ordered to reimburse the state for his defence attorney fees and court costs. The court also rescinded his military rank.
The coordinator was also ordered to partly reimburse attorney fees and court costs. Both defendants were ordered to pay a criminal victim fine to the state.
The verdict was reached by a panel of three judges at the district court.
The sentences and verdicts are still not enforceable, as the cases can still be appealed.
According to Vaunta's attorney, Tomi Tanskanen, it is likely that the verdict will be appealed.
"Of course, we first need to get acquainted with the court's ruling. But I think it is likely that the decision will be appealed," Tanskanen said.
