Finland man on trial accused of abusing 361 children

A man went on trial in Finland on Monday accused of sexually abusing 361 children aged nine to 15 on social media platforms including Snapchat.

The case was due to be presented publicly at Pirkanmaa district court on Monday before continuing behind closed doors on Tuesday.

Prosecutors have charged the man with carrying out various sexual offences against children between 2019 and 2022. The main charges include aggravated sexual abuse of children, sexual abuse of children, and aggravated distribution of an image depicting children in a sexual manner, the prosecutor told AFP before the trial.

Finnish public broadcaster Yle reported that the victims were boys living across Finland.

Police said in December 2025 that they were investigating a 27-year-old man suspected of 364 sexual offences against children. The National Prosecution Authority said in June that prosecutors had decided not to press charges in three of the cases.

Police said thousands of videos and images of unidentified children were found on the man's phone in 2022 during a search linked to another criminal case. They said he had allegedly contacted children via Snapchat and asked them to send photos or videos of themselves partly clothed or naked, and to perform sexual acts.

The man partly admitted to the offences during the investigation. The court said about 45 hearing days have been set aside and the proceedings are expected to last at least until the end of the year.