The trial of the largest case of suspected poaching in Finnish legal history began at North Savo District Court in Kuopio on Monday morning.
Poaching refers to the illegal hunting or catching of animals or fish in contravention of protection laws.
There are a total of 31 suspects in the case, with the offences believed to have taken place in and around the town of Lapinlahti, about 60 kilometres north of Kuopio, between 2019 and 2023.
Following the completion of the pre-trial investigation, police said they suspected that the poachers had killed at least one wolverine, six lynx, three wolves as well as a number of protected bird species including swans and hawks.
One of the wolves believed to have been killed by the group was being monitored at the time by Finland's natural resources institute, Luke.
The defendants face an array of charges, including 14 counts of aggravated hunting offences, three counts of concealing poached game, five environmental offences as well as three firearms offences.
Police said the case is exceptional because of the large number of animals killed and the fact that the illegal hunting practices continued for years. Investigators believe the poaching was intentional and carefully organised, and the activities were hidden under the guise of hunting smaller animals.
Evidence uncovered during the course of the pre-trial investigation suggested that the group even tried to illegally hunt bears in April 2021, but was unsuccessful.
The defendants range in age from 24 to 75, and include a former local councillor, who resigned when the charges came to light. He has denied any wrongdoing.
When interviewed by police during the preliminary probe, the defendants said they were motivated to act as they did by a lack of hunting permits, concern for domestic animals and pets, and general dissatisfaction with how Finnish authorities were managing animal populations.
However, Detective Inspector Harri-Pekka Pohjolainen told Yle that some of the defendants killed seven swans "on a whim" during a road trip in the summer of 2019.
According to Matti Tolvanen, a Professor Emeritus of Criminal Law, the defendants could face custodial sentences if they are found guilty of the suspected crimes. They are also likely to be ordered to pay hefty fines.
For example, the fine for the unlawful killing of an adult wolverine is 16,000 euros, while the amount for killing a wolf is 9,000 euros.