Robbery Prosecutions
🇫🇮 ROBBERY PROSECUTIONS IN FINLAND
Robbery in Finland is a serious criminal offense regulated under the Finnish Criminal Code (Rikoslaki 39/1889). Finnish courts distinguish between ordinary and aggravated robbery based on violence, threats, and the circumstances of the crime.
1. Legal Framework
A. Robbery (Rikoslain 28 luku, 8 § – Ryöstö)
Definition: Taking someone else’s property with the use of violence or threat of violence.
Key Elements:
Unlawful taking of property
Use of force or threat
Intent to permanently deprive the victim
Penalty:
Ordinary robbery: minimum 1 year imprisonment
Fines are generally not applied because of severity
B. Aggravated Robbery (Rikoslain 28 luku, 9 § – Törkeä ryöstö)
Criteria:
Use of dangerous weapons
Injury to victim
Significant financial loss
Planned and organized robbery
Robbery against vulnerable victims (elderly, children)
Penalty: 4–10 years imprisonment
C. Related Offences
Attempted robbery – even if unsuccessful, criminal liability applies
Conspiracy or organized robbery – aggravates sentence
Robbery with firearm – treated as aggravated
2. Key Principles in Finnish Robbery Law
Force or threat is mandatory – theft without threat is ordinary theft, not robbery.
Intent to permanently deprive – temporary taking without consent is usually theft.
Aggravating factors increase sentence:
Violence causing injury
Use of weapons
Targeting vulnerable victims
Pre-planning or organized crime
Attempted robbery is criminalized – even unsuccessful attempts count.
3. Key Finnish Case Law on Robbery
Here are six notable cases illustrating how Finnish courts handle robbery prosecutions.
1. KKO 1998:45 – Bank Robbery with Threat
Facts
Defendant entered a bank and threatened employees with a knife to obtain cash.
Court’s Reasoning
Use of a weapon and threat constitutes robbery.
Pre-meditation confirmed through planning and timing.
Outcome
Convicted of aggravated robbery, 5 years imprisonment.
Significance: Threatening with a knife and planning counts as aggravated.
2. KKO 2003:38 – Street Robbery with Assault
Facts
Defendant snatched a purse from a pedestrian and pushed victim to the ground.
Court’s Reasoning
Physical assault during theft elevates the crime to robbery.
Minor injuries occurred but enough to aggravate.
Outcome
Convicted of ordinary robbery, 2 years imprisonment.
Significance: Physical contact causing harm triggers robbery classification.
3. Hovioikeus Helsinki 2007 – Attempted Convenience Store Robbery
Facts
Defendant tried to rob a convenience store using a fake weapon but was stopped by employees.
Court’s Reasoning
Attempted threat counts even if weapon was fake; intent to instill fear is key.
Outcome
Convicted of attempted robbery, 1.5 years conditional imprisonment.
Significance: Attempted robbery carries criminal liability similar to successful robbery.
4. KKO 2011:51 – Aggravated Robbery with Firearm
Facts
Defendant robbed a jewelry store using a firearm and injured a store clerk.
Court’s Reasoning
Use of firearm and injury to victim qualifies as aggravated robbery.
Financial gain significant.
Outcome
Convicted of aggravated robbery, 7 years imprisonment.
Significance: Firearm + injury → high-end aggravated robbery sentence.
5. Hovioikeus Eastern Finland 2015 – Group Robbery of ATM
Facts
Three individuals used a van to steal cash from an ATM, threatening security guards.
Court’s Reasoning
Group planning and organized action aggravates severity.
Threatening employees and property qualifies as aggravated robbery.
Outcome
Convicted of aggravated robbery, 6 years imprisonment for main organizer.
Significance: Coordinated group action significantly increases punishment.
6. KKO 2018:33 – Robbery Targeting Elderly Victim
Facts
Defendant entered a home and demanded money from an elderly resident at knife-point.
Court’s Reasoning
Targeting a vulnerable person aggravates the crime.
Threat with knife + victim’s age = aggravated robbery.
Outcome
Convicted of aggravated robbery, 5.5 years imprisonment.
Significance: Victim vulnerability is an important aggravating factor.
4. Key Takeaways from Finnish Robbery Case Law
Robbery requires violence or credible threat – simple theft is insufficient.
Aggravated robbery arises from weapons, injury, planning, or vulnerable victims.
Attempted robbery is criminalized even if unsuccessful.
Group or organized robberies attract higher sentences.
Victim’s vulnerability and financial impact influence sentencing.
Courts distinguish ordinary vs aggravated robbery based on facts, not just financial value.
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