The Turku Court of Appeal has overturned the ruling of the Pirkanmaa District Court in a case of suspected sexual abuse by a teacher at Finland's Police University College.
The Appeal Court did however convict the teacher of breach of duty and one charge of sexual harassment, and imposed a fine of 60 day-fines, which amounts to 1,440 euros based on the defendant's stated income.
In January 2020, the Pirkanmaa District Court found the teacher guilty on two counts of sexual abuse of students at the school as well as charges of breach of duty and sexual harassment.
According to the Court of Appeal's ruling, the characteristics of sexual abuse were not met because the victims were not particularly dependent on the accused. According to Finnish law, this is a condition for an act to be considered sexual exploitation.
The fact that the accused was a teacher was not sufficient to meet this criteria, the court said.
The accused had demanded that the charges be dismissed and that he be released from the obligation to pay compensation, or that the punishment and liability for damages be at least partially reduced.
The prosecutor had however asked that the Court of Appeal convict the accused of charges which were dismissed by the district court.
The suspected crimes came to light in February 2019, but allegations had been made since 2015. The Police University College began its own investigation after students began reporting inappropriate behaviour, and the college filed a criminal complaint in the spring of 2019.
An appeal against the decision by the Court of Appeal can be applied for from the Supreme Court.