Finland man on trial for sexual abuse of 361 children via social media

A 27-year-old man has appeared in the Pirkanmaa District Court in Finland to face charges involving the sexual abuse of 361 children. The defendant is accused of grooming boys aged 9 to 15 through social media platforms, specifically Snapchat, between 2019 and 2022.

According to prosecutors, the man allegedly coerced the victims into sending nude or semi-nude photographs and videos, and in some instances, requested they perform sexual acts. The investigation began in 2022 after police examined the suspect's mobile phone during a separate criminal inquiry, discovering thousands of images and videos of unidentified children.

The legal proceedings began with a public hearing on Monday, but are expected to continue behind closed doors starting Tuesday due to the sensitive nature of the case. The trial is projected to last approximately 45 days. The defendant has partially admitted to the offenses during the investigation.