A Finnish Court of Appeal has acquitted a teacher previously convicted of sexually abusing a child, overturning the district court’s ruling and cancelling his prison sentence.
The Eastern Finland Court of Appeal cleared the middle-aged teacher of all charges in a decision concerning alleged offences in the Kymenlaakso region. The court also cancelled the seven-month suspended prison sentence previously imposed on him.
The public version of the appeal court’s ruling does not explain the reasons behind the acquittal. Yle, which reported the case, has withheld the teacher’s name and the municipality where he worked to protect those involved.
In late 2025, the Kymenlaakso District Court found the teacher guilty of sexually abusing a child over a period between 2019 and 2022. He was sentenced to seven months in prison, suspended, and ordered to pay the complainant 2,000 euros in compensation for suffering.
Following the district court’s conviction, the municipality terminated the teacher’s employment.
The Court of Appeal’s decision overturns that conviction and removes the penalties imposed by the lower court. However, the legal process may not yet be over. The ruling is not final and can still be challenged before a higher court, provided permission to appeal is granted.
