Man possibly held in Finland cellar for decades: police

A man aged nearly 80 may have lived under inhumane conditions in a Helsinki basement for decades, Finnish police said.

Officers found the man during a search of a detached house in the Finnish capital.

Police said he was in poor physical condition and had no access to a toilet or the ability to wash or prepare food in the windowless room.

Initial investigations revealed that the man had moved there decades ago.

Police arrested two men and a woman, aged approximately 60, living in Helsinki.

The head of the investigation, Jari Korkalainen, told broadcaster Yle that the suspects were not related to the victim but had known him for a long time.

According to the police statement, it is being investigated whether the residents of the house where the old man was found were involved in human trafficking by exploiting the man and subjecting him to degrading living conditions.

Police said the suspects’ aim may have been financial gain.