The trial has begun at Helsinki District Court of theatre figure Veijo Baltzar on charges including aggravated human trafficking, aggravated rape, rape and aggravated child sexual assault.
The 78-year-old has been on remand for one year, and was released from prison in November due to his advanced age, among other reasons.
However, Baltzar was arrested again on Tuesday for violating a court-imposed no-contact order.
There are seven victims, some of whom were minors at the time of the suspected crimes. He is suspected of having befriended the girls and young women in Helsinki, before recruiting them to work with him at the theatre activities he ran.
There are also allegations that Baltzar invited the victims to reside with him, where they lived under "cult-like" conditions. According to the pre-trial investigation, he is suspected of having implemented strict rules at his house.
The victims are said to have had to comply with rules concerning their appearance and eating.
Baltzar denies all allegations. According to his defence team, Baltzar and the prosecutors have completely opposing views of the events.
The court proceedings are closed from the public in order to protect the identity of the victims.