Man on trial in Finland accused of abusing 361 children online

A man is set to stand trial in Finland on Monday, accused of sexually abusing 361 children aged nine to 15 on social media platforms such as Snapchat. The public hearing of the case is scheduled to commence at the Pirkanmaa district court on Monday, before transitioning to a closed-door session on Tuesday. A comprehensive update on the unfolding events in the trial can be accessed through the Gulf News app, which offers real-time updates.

The man faces allegations of perpetrating various sexual offenses against 361 children between 2019 and 2022. According to Yle, the Finnish public broadcaster, all the victims were boys residing across Finland. In December 2025, Finnish police disclosed that they were investigating a 27-year-old man suspected of committing 364 sexual offenses against children.

Subsequently, the National Prosecution Authority stated in June that prosecutors had decided against pursuing charges in three of the cases. Over the summer of 2022, police discovered thousands of videos and images of unidentified children on the man's mobile phone, during an investigation linked to another criminal case. The perpetrator allegedly reached out to the children via Snapchat, enticing them to share photographs or videos of themselves in minimal clothing or completely naked, and to engage in sexual acts.

The primary charges against him include aggravated sexual abuse of children, sexual abuse of children, and aggravated distribution of an image depicting children in a sexual manner, as informed by the prosecutor to AFP before the trial commenced. The man made partial admissions of guilt during the course of the investigation. With roughly 45 hearing days allocated to the case, the proceedings are anticipated to persist until the conclusion of this year, as indicated by the court.