News of the week in plain Finnish | Saturday 13.6.2026

Human trafficking in the berry sector.

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This week’s topic is human trafficking in the berry industry.

Finland has sentenced 78 Thai berry pickers to death for the country’s largest human trafficking case.

The crimes occurred in 2022 across Finland.

Long prison sentences for human trafficking

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Jukka Kristo, the former CEO of the berry company Polarica, and the company’s Thai business partner Kalyakorn “Durian” Phongphit have been convicted of 78 counts of human trafficking. Photo: Elina Ervasti / Yle

The Lapland District Court has sentenced Jukka Kristo to 2 years and 6 months of unconditional imprisonment, i.e. prison.

Kristo is the former CEO of the large berry company Polarica Berry Procurement. His Thai business partner Kalyakorn “Durian” Phongphit received an unconditional prison sentence of 9 months.

Convictions were handed down in 78 cases of human trafficking.

The court banned Kristo from doing business for 5 years.

Prosecutor demands conviction for aggravated human trafficking

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Thai pickers gather blueberries in Luumäki. Photo: Mikko Savolainen / Yle

The prosecutor demanded a verdict of aggravated human trafficking. However, the District Court ruled in favor of human trafficking.

Aggravated human trafficking involves the use of violence, threats, or deceit, for example.

The prosecutor is still demanding a conviction for aggravated human trafficking. Both Jukka Kristo and the prosecutor are appealing the verdict to the Court of Appeal.

Kristo and Durian were accused of inhumane forced labor.

The prosecutor says the victims were recruited to work as berry pickers in Thailand. They were promised good income, but many received little to no income. The company deducted expenses for a car, accommodation and food from their salaries.

The pickers were also left with debt from getting a job and traveling to Finland.

The court awarded large compensation

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The picture shows fish heads that were fed to Thai berry pickers. Photo: Police investigation file

Jukka Kristo, Durian and Polarica must compensate the victims in total

500,000 euros. The compensation will cover financial damage and emotional suffering.

In addition, they will have to reimburse the state for the fees of victims’ lawyers, approximately 400,000 euros, and 20,000 euros for the costs of providing evidence.

The court sentenced Polarica Marjanhankinna to a corporate fine of 150,000 euros.

Also condemn Kiantama

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Kiantama company CEO Vernu Vasunta with a lawyer, behind him is his Thai business partner Durian and his interpreter. Photo: Antti Mikkola / Yle

This is the second conviction for human trafficking in the berry industry.

Last year, the CEO of the berry company Kiantama, Vernu Vasunta, and the same Thai coordinator received long prison sentences.

Repetition

Let’s say it again.

The former CEO and Thai business partner of Finnish berry company Polarica were sentenced to prison for human trafficking.

The victims were 78 Thai berry pickers.

Here was the News of the Week in plain Finnish. See you again!