Pidätykseen

Pidätykseen is a Finnish legal term referring to the temporary deprivation of liberty of a person by police or other authorities. It is a coercive measure used to secure an investigation, prevent harm or flight, preserve evidence, or otherwise safeguard the investigation or public safety. The grounds for detention must be legally valid and the measure must be necessary and proportionate to the situation.

Legal framework and scope: The use of pidätys is regulated by Finnish law, primarily the Criminal Procedure Act and the Police Act. Detention can be imposed only when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a crime has been committed and when it is required for the investigation or for safeguarding the person or others. Detention is intended to be temporary and is subject to judicial oversight and periodic review.

Procedure and rights: A person placed in pidätykseen must be informed promptly of the grounds for detention and the person’s rights, including the right to legal counsel and, if necessary, an interpreter. The detainee has the right to contact a relative or another person, to receive medical aid, and to consult with a lawyer. The police typically bring the detainee before a prosecutor, who may order further measures, and a court may review or extend detention as part of the criminal procedure.

Relation to other measures: If prolonged deprivation of liberty is needed for investigation, authorities may pursue stricter measures such as tutkintavankeus (investigative custody), which is governed by separate rules and requires judicial authorization. Detention ends when the grounds no longer apply or when a court orders release.