Prosecutors have charged two asylum seekers with manslaughter, aggravated robbery, robbery and payment fraud over offences that took place in central Finland two months ago. The Iraqi men are the main suspects in the death of a man in Kajaani's Otanmäki district in September.
The two men facing charges were both taken into custody on probable cause September 14. The first man, born in 1988, resisted arrest, but the second, born in 1997, did not.
The case concerns a 52-year-old Otanmäki resident who was found dead on the street on September 11. Another 41-year-old man on a neighbouring street was also robbed and assaulted that same night.
Police say the deceased had been punched, kicked and stabbed prior to his death. His assailants also made off with his phone and bank cards.
In the second incident, the victim was choked and thrown to the ground. His attackers took his mobile phone and a small amount of money.
The court case of the two asylum seekers suspected of the crimes will take place on November 22 in Kajaani. The minimum punishment for manslaughter in Finland is eight years’ imprisonment.