Ennakkopidätysten

Ennakkopidätysten is a Finnish legal term that translates roughly to "pre-trial detention" or "remand in custody." It refers to the practice in the Finnish legal system where a suspect or accused person may be held in custody before their trial or the final resolution of their case. This measure is not a punishment but a temporary restriction of liberty, employed when specific legal grounds are met.

The primary purpose of ennakkopidätysten is to ensure the smooth progression of the investigation and legal proceedings. It is typically ordered by a court when there is a risk that the individual might abscond, tamper with evidence, or obstruct the investigation, or if there is a concern about the commission of further offenses. The decision to impose ennakkopidätysten is made on a case-by-case basis, and the court must carefully consider the proportionality of the measure against the individual's rights.

There are specific legal requirements that must be fulfilled for ennakkopidätysten to be imposed. These include a reasonable suspicion that the person has committed a crime for which the maximum penalty is at least one year of imprisonment. Furthermore, one of the aforementioned grounds for concern (flight risk, evidence tampering, or recidivism risk) must be present. The duration of pre-trial detention is also subject to legal limits and periodic judicial review to ensure it remains necessary and justified. Throughout the period of detention, the individual retains certain rights, including the right to legal counsel and to communicate with the outside world, within the limitations imposed by the investigation.