Police in Helsinki have opened a human trafficking investigation after finding an 80-year-old man living under inhumane conditions in the basement of a house in the city.
After receiving a tip from a member of the public, officers searched the property, a detached house in North Helsinki, on Monday.
Police said the man was found in poor physical condition and needing assistance, noting that he had been living in a windowless room with no washing, toilet or food preparation facilities. According to police, he may have been living in the basement for 20 years.
Police temporarily detained two men and a woman suspected of involvement in the case. The suspects are around 60 years old and live in Helsinki, but have since been released.
"The suspects are not relatives of the victim, but they have known each other for a long time," lead investigator, detective inspector Jari Korkalainen said.
Among other leads, police are investigating whether others who lived in the house had committed human trafficking crimes by taking advantage of the victim's vulnerability.
"We're looking into relationships between the people living in the house and other individuals, how the [victim] ended up there, and how he could have lived in such poor conditions for so long," Korkalainen said.
Police are also investigating whether the perpetrators had carried out the crimes for financial gain.
According to Korkalainen, the victim voluntarily moved into the house more than 20 years ago, but his health has since deteriorated.
He said that the victim is in quite good condition now and receiving necessary care.
