One of Europe’s most wanted cyber criminals has been jailed for attempting to blackmail 33,000 people whose confidential therapy notes he stole.
Julius Kivimäki obtained them after breaking into the databases of Finland’s largest psychotherapy company, Vastaamo.
After his attempt to extort the company failed, he emailed patients directly, threatening to reveal what they had told their therapists.
At least one suicide has been linked to the case, which has shocked the country.
Kivimäki has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison.
In terms of the number of victims, his trial was the biggest criminal case in Finnish history.
One of them gave their reaction to the BBC.
“The main thing is that this absolutely empathy-lacking, ruthless criminal gets a prison sentence”, said Tiina Parrika.
“After this there rise thoughts about how short the conviction is, when reflected against the number of victims”, she added.
“But, that’s the Finnish law and I must accept that.”
The 26-year-old had maintained his innocence – despite going on the run and being arrested in Paris under a fake identity.
During the trial, he also went missing for more than a week after refusing to be recalled back to prison by the court.
The judges found him guilty of all counts, describing his blackmail as “ruthlessly taking advantage of another person’s special weakness.”
“Taking into account Vastaamo’s position as a company producing mental health services, Kivimäki has caused great suffering or the risk of it to the interested parties,” the verdict document said.
