Robbery And Armed Robbery Prosecutions
I. LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ROBBERY IN FINLAND
Robbery in Finland is primarily regulated under Chapter 21 of the Finnish Criminal Code.
1. Robbery (Ryöstö) – Chapter 21, Section 1
A person commits robbery if they:
Take property from another person,
By violence or threat of immediate violence, and
Intend to unlawfully gain property.
Penalty: Generally 2–10 years imprisonment, depending on severity.
2. Aggravated Robbery (Törkeä ryöstö) – Chapter 21, Section 2
A robbery is aggravated if it involves:
Use of a weapon or other dangerous means,
Particularly serious threat or violence,
Multiple victims, or
Organized or professional execution.
Penalty: 4–12 years imprisonment.
3. Attempted Robbery
Even if the property is not successfully taken, an attempted robbery can be prosecuted.
Courts examine:
Intent
Concrete steps toward committing robbery
4. Armed Robbery
Considered aggravated if weapons or firearms are used.
Finnish courts focus on:
Type of weapon
Threat level
Potential or actual harm to victims
II. ELEMENTS OF PROSECUTION
Unlawful taking of property – theft combined with violence or threats.
Use of force or intimidation – violence need not be successful, but must be immediate.
Intent to gain – criminal gain must be clear.
Aggravating factors – weapon, multiple victims, organized planning.
III. DETAILED CASE LAW ON ROBBERY AND ARMED ROBBERY
Here are seven detailed cases illustrating prosecution and judicial reasoning:
CASE 1 — KKO 2003:74 – Simple Robbery
Facts
Defendant snatched a handbag from a pedestrian.
Used minor force (pushed victim) but no weapon.
Court Reasoning
Force was sufficient for robbery, even though minor.
Defendant intended unlawful gain.
Outcome
Conviction for robbery, 2-year imprisonment.
CASE 2 — KKO 2007:21 – Armed Robbery with Firearm
Facts
Defendant entered a convenience store armed with a handgun.
Threatened cashier, demanded cash.
Court Reasoning
Use of a firearm elevated the robbery to aggravated robbery.
Threat created immediate fear for life.
Outcome
Conviction for aggravated robbery, 8-year imprisonment.
CASE 3 — Helsinki Court of Appeal 2010 – Attempted Robbery
Facts
Defendant attempted to steal cash from a gas station, but was caught before taking money.
Threatened cashier with a knife.
Court Reasoning
Attempted robbery established by:
Clear intent
Concrete steps toward robbery
Threat of violence
Outcome
Conviction for attempted robbery, 3-year imprisonment.
CASE 4 — KKO 2013:55 – Aggravated Robbery Involving Multiple Victims
Facts
Defendant and accomplices robbed a small store, threatened two employees with knives.
Court Reasoning
Multiple victims, use of weapons, and planning qualified as aggravated robbery.
Violence threatened, even though no one was physically harmed.
Outcome
Conviction for aggravated robbery, 9-year imprisonment.
CASE 5 — KKO 2016:39 – Robbery with Minor Injuries
Facts
During a street robbery, victim suffered minor bruises when pushed to the ground.
Defendant stole mobile phone and wallet.
Court Reasoning
Even minor physical injury is sufficient to establish violence element.
Intent and gain clearly demonstrated.
Outcome
Conviction for robbery, 3.5-year imprisonment.
CASE 6 — Turku Court of Appeal 2017 – Armed Robbery at Gas Station
Facts
Defendant carried a firearm and forced clerk to hand over cash.
Threatened to shoot, but firearm was unloaded.
Court Reasoning
Aggravated robbery does not require functional firearm; threat with weapon is sufficient.
Psychological threat meets legal threshold for aggravation.
Outcome
Conviction for aggravated robbery, 7-year imprisonment.
CASE 7 — KKO 2020:48 – Robbery in Organized Group
Facts
Three defendants planned and executed robbery of a jewelry store.
Threatened staff with knives; stole high-value items.
Court Reasoning
Planning, multiple participants, and use of weapons = aggravated robbery.
Severity enhanced due to organized, professional approach.
Outcome
Conviction for aggravated robbery, sentences 6–8 years each.
IV. KEY PRINCIPLES FROM CASES
Force or threat is essential; actual harm not necessary.
Weapon use automatically elevates robbery to aggravated level.
Attempted robbery is punishable; courts consider intent + concrete acts.
Multiple victims or group participation increases sentence severity.
Psychological threat alone, e.g., firearm display, suffices for aggravated robbery.
Organized execution demonstrates aggravation and leads to longer imprisonment.
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