An elderly man who was kept in a windowless basement without a toilet and cooking facilities for decades has finally been freed.
Police in Finland found the 80-year-old man, who has not been named, living under ‘inhumane conditions’ in a basement of a house in the country’s capital, Helsinki.
Helsinki Police said the man’s room did not have windows, a toilet or cooking facilities, adding that he was void of any ‘possibility of hygiene’.
Officers said the elderly man was ‘in need of immediate help’ and has been referred to healthcare professionals for care.
Local authorities believe the man may have been living there for 20 years, according to Finnish national broadcaster Yle.
The shocking discovery was made on Monday after police searched the detached villa in the north of Helsinki.
Two men and a woman, all in their 60s, were arrested in connection with the incident, but were later released.
Leading the investigation, detective inspector Jari Korkalainen, said the victim voluntarily moved into the house more than 20 years ago, where his health deteriorated over time.
The man’s discovery prompted Helsinki Police to launch an investigation into human trafficking over fears the perpetrators took advantage of the man’s vulnerable position.
Police have also raised concerns that the man may have been subject to degrading conditions for potential financial gain, local newspaper Iltalehti reported.
The newspaper also reported that the suspects were ‘shocked’ after being suspected of committing a crime.
It is understood that the suspects may have known the victim for some time, Mr Korkalainen said.
However, he made clear that the victim and the suspects are not related.
‘The suspects are not relatives of the victim, but they have known each other for a long time,’ he said.
‘We’re looking into relationships between the people living in the house and other individuals, how the [victim] ended up there, and how he could have lived in such poor conditions for so long.’
He added that the man is in good condition after receiving treatment.
An investigation remains ongoing as police determine the length of time the man lived in the basement and whether any crime was committed.
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