In Finland, court replaces suspended sentence for predator centre founder with fine — YLE News
The Court of Appeal in Rovaniemi, Finland, significantly reduced the sentence of Sulo Karjalainen, founder of the Large Predator Centre in Kuusamo, in a case concerning violations of accounting rules. Instead of the five-month suspended prison sentence imposed by the Oulu District Court, Karjalainen was fined 30 day-fines totalling 420 euros.
As YLE News reports, the court of appeal concluded that Karjalainen's actions were not intentional but constituted gross negligence. The court found him guilty of negligent violation of accounting rules.
The court found no intent
According to the prosecution, the company's accounting documents were missing for 2013–2020, while the total amount of accounting discrepancies was about 350,000 euros.
The court of appeal stated that there were no grounds to believe that Karjalainen had deliberately concealed or destroyed the general and daily ledgers for 2013–2016 and 2018. The court also pointed to the absence of a motive for such actions. At the same time, it stressed that Karjalainen, as director and board member, was responsible for organising and preserving the accounting records.
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Some charges were dismissed due to the statute of limitations
The court found the absence of general and daily ledgers for five years to be serious negligence showing signs of negligent violation of accounting rules.
The court of appeal dismissed some counts due to the expiry of the statute of limitations. In particular, the court of first instance found that the period for prosecution over the 2018 financial statements had expired, as the summons was served only in August 2024.
The count concerning the recording of cash payments was also dismissed due to the expiry of the statute of limitations. The court of appeal acquitted the company's former accountant, whom the court of first instance had fined 60 day-fines for violating accounting rules, due to the expiry of the statute of limitations.
