Elderly man found in Helsinki cellar, possibly imprisoned for decades
Helsinki Police revealed a shocking case of potential human trafficking on Friday, reporting that an 80-year-old man had been discovered living in a windowless cellar in northern Helsinki for "several decades."
- World
- DPA
- Published Date: 07:59 | 23 January 2026
An approximately 80-year-old man may have lived for decades under inhumane conditions in a cellar in Helsinki, Finnish police reported on Friday.
The officers found the man during a search of a detached house in the Finnish capital.
He was in poor physical condition and had no access to a toilet in the windowless room, nor the ability to wash or prepare food, the police said.
Initial investigations have revealed that the man moved in there several decades ago.
The police have arrested two men and a woman, all around 60 years old and living in Helsinki. The suspects are not related to the victim but have known him for a long time, the head of the investigation, Jari Korkalainen, told the broadcaster Yle.
It is now being investigated whether the residents of the house where the elderly man was found committed human trafficking by exploiting the man and subjecting him to degrading living conditions, according to the police statement.
The suspects' motive could have been financial gain, the police said.
The officers found the man during a search of a detached house in the Finnish capital.
He was in poor physical condition and had no access to a toilet in the windowless room, nor the ability to wash or prepare food, the police said.
Initial investigations have revealed that the man moved in there several decades ago.
The police have arrested two men and a woman, all around 60 years old and living in Helsinki. The suspects are not related to the victim but have known him for a long time, the head of the investigation, Jari Korkalainen, told the broadcaster Yle.
It is now being investigated whether the residents of the house where the elderly man was found committed human trafficking by exploiting the man and subjecting him to degrading living conditions, according to the police statement.
The suspects' motive could have been financial gain, the police said.
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