Pidätetty

Pidätetty is a Finnish term used to describe a person who has been taken into custody by police or other authorities. It is the past participle of the verb pidättää, and functions as both an adjective and a noun in Finnish. In legal and criminal contexts, a pidätetty refers to someone whose freedom of movement is temporarily restricted to facilitate an investigation. The status arises through police action and may be reinforced by a court order for pre-trial detention or may result in release, depending on the case and applicable law. The exact rules and time limits are defined by Finnish legislation and can vary.

In practice, the word is commonly used in official statements, press releases, and news reports to indicate that a person is in custody. Typical phrasing is pidätetty epäily, meaning a detained or apprehended suspect. The term contrasts with vapautettu, meaning released, and with other forms describing changes in custody status.

Etymology and usage notes: pidätetty derives from pidättää, meaning to detain or arrest, with the root pidä- related to holding or keeping back. The form is widely understood across Finnish-speaking contexts, from police communications to journalism and legal documents.

See also: pidätys (detention), vapauttaminen (release), oikeusjärjestelmä (justice system).