The police in Savolax in eastern Finland began to investigate the case in the autumn of 2022, when they suspected organized illegal hunting in the area.
According to the indictment, those involved have killed, among other things, three wolves, six lynxes, a wolverine, and birds of prey illegally. The investigation covers a total of 14 counts of gross hunting crimes, as well as environmental protection crimes and various weapons crimes.
A 60-year-old man who is considered the leader receives the most severe punishment of 1.5 years' imprisonment and is also sentenced to three years' hunting ban. The prison sentences for the others convicted of gross hunting crimes vary from six months to over a year.
The convicted persons must also pay the state a total of nearly half a million in damages for the animals they killed, and the weapons used are confiscated.
In total, 31 people were charged, but for five people, no crime could be proven.
