The Afghans and Iraqis were smuggled to Finland via Russia, Latvia and Estonia, with each person paying smugglers around 8,000 euros. All of the illegal immigrants have applied for asylum.
The prosecution is seeking jail sentences ranging from 2.5 to 5.5 years for three others involved in the operation. Prosecutors also demand that the defendants forfeit some 600,000 euros gained from illegal activities to the state.
A Moscow-run criminal gang was behind the smuggling operation taking place between 2008 and 2009, according to a preliminary investigation by the police. An international arrest warrant has been issued for the head of the gang, however, authorities have not yet succeeded in tracking him down.