Senior advisor Olli Sorainen faces bribery charges in Helsinki human trafficking case

Olli Sorainen, a senior advisor at the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (TEM), is facing serious accusations related to severe bribery and misuse of office stemming from a large human trafficking case involving berry companies. Sorainen’s actions raised eyebrows among colleagues back in 2021, as he was leading discussions about the berry sector and preparing a new berry law aimed at improving the situation for workers and ensuring fair competition among businesses.

The case also implicates Jukka Kristo, former CEO of Polarica Marjahankinta Oy, who is accused of severe bribery, while the current CEO, Mari Onkamo, faces charges of aiding in the bribery. All accused individuals deny the charges, with Polarica stating that the case involves “personal sponsorship” within a government official’s circle.

The court proceedings regarding these bribery allegations are set to begin next week at the Helsinki District Court. This case is interlinked with another tribunal against Kristo and his Thai business partner in Lapland, which commenced this week, involving 77 severe human trafficking charges.

Investigative materials reveal that the allocation of berry pickers’ quotas has been problematic, with some being critical of Polarica’s operational conditions. In 2020, the company faced significant backlash from workers regarding living conditions, food quality, and remuneration, leading to a proposal to reduce their quotas.

The investigation also indicates that Sorainen might have favored certain companies, as his decisions seemed to grant Polarica and another company additional chances to provide explanations regarding complaints from workers, unlike other businesses that did not receive similar opportunities.