The trial of Aleksanteri Kivimäki, accused of stealing patient records from the Vastaamo psychotherapy center and attempting extortion, has taken a harrowing turn. A lawyer representing victims, Jenni Raiskio, disclosed that some patients had tragically taken their own lives after their compromised records were used in extortion attempts. Raiskio’s law firm, representing around 1,500 victims, has been at the forefront of this distressing case involving the theft and publication of patient data for approximately 33,000 individuals.
As the legal proceedings reach their conclusion, prosecutors argue that Kivimäki initiated the theft in 2018 and began extorting victims in 2020. The prosecution contends that he accidentally published all the stolen information after revealing part of it. The severity of the charges is underscored by the demand for a seven-year jail sentence, the maximum penalty possible. Kivimäki, however, staunchly denies all accusations. The trial, marked by the emotional toll on victims, is set to conclude on March 8.