asiakirjaväärennöksen

Asiakirjaväärennös is a Finnish legal term that translates to document forgery. It refers to the act of creating, altering, or using a false document with the intent to deceive. This can encompass a wide range of activities, from forging signatures on contracts to counterfeiting official identification or currency.

The core elements of asiakirjaväärennös typically include the falsification of a document and the intention to cause harm or gain an unlawful advantage through its use. The falsification can involve outright creation of a document that appears genuine but is not, or altering an existing genuine document to change its meaning or impact. Using a forged document, even if the forgery was committed by someone else, can also be considered asiakirjaväärennös if the user knows it is false and intends to deceive.

Finnish law categorizes asiakirjaväärennös as a criminal offense. Penalties vary depending on the severity of the forgery, the type of document involved, and the damage caused. For example, forging official documents like passports or court orders may carry more severe consequences than forging less critical personal documents. The legal definition and prosecution of asiakirjaväärennös aim to protect the integrity of legal and commercial transactions and to maintain public trust in official documentation.