Four men sentenced for firearms offenses in South Karelia District Court

The South Karelia District Court has sentenced four men to varying prison terms for firearms offenses. Additionally, one man received a sentence for aiding and abetting a serious firearms offense. The longest sentence was given to a man who was handed a one year and 11 month suspended prison term for seven counts of serious firearms offenses. He had acquired twelve deactivated assault rifles and one deactivated machine gun, classified as extremely dangerous. The man, along with another individual, had modified the weapons to operational condition and sold them. The court also ordered that the man forfeit his firearms to the state.

Among the accused, one man received a six-month unconditional sentence, influenced by his prior criminal record. According to the court, he was guilty of three serious firearms offenses, which included possessing a 3D-printed handgun. The third man was sentenced to seven months for a serious firearms offense, while the fourth man received a four-month suspended sentence for aiding and abetting a serious firearms offense. The court dismissed charges against one individual for serious aiding and abetting in a firearms offense.

According to police investigations, the firearms were sourced from Germany, with the investigation aided by organizations including Europol. Restored weapons were primarily sold through the Wickr messaging application. Due to the nature of the app, sellers and potential buyers remained unidentified, although police have observed communications related to the sales. The main suspect admitted to possessing and restoring illegal firearms with the intent to sell them through the messaging service. The offenses occurred between 2020 and 2023. The sentences are not yet final.