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Man possibly held in Finland cellar for decades: police

By AAP Newswire

Jan 24, 2026

Police cars — Police have arrested two men and a woman after finding a man in poor physical condition in a cellar. -AP

An approximately 80-year-old man may have lived for decades under inhumane conditions in a cellar in Helsinki, Finnish police say.

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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 about 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 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.