Julius Kivimäki, who was recently sentenced to nearly seven years in prison, has reportedly left Finland, expressing disappointment through his lawyer after the appellate court's ruling was increased by eight months.
Julius Kivimäki, a 28-year-old hacker involved in a significant data breach at a Finnish psychotherapy center, has left Finland following a recent ruling by the Helsinki Court of Appeals. His lawyer, Peter Jaari, conveyed Kivimäki's disappointment at the increased sentence, which now totals six years and eleven months after the court added an additional eight months to the original judgment. Kivimäki maintains his innocence regarding the charges stemming from the data breach of the psychotherapy center, Vastaamo, which has been described as an unprecedented event in Finland's criminal history.
Furthermore, Jaari has indicated that they will likely appeal the Court of Appeals' decision to the Supreme Court of Finland. This case continues to draw attention not only because of the severity of the crimes but also due to its implications on data privacy and cybersecurity in Finland. The case highlights ongoing concerns about cybersecurity in the digital age, especially regarding sensitive personal data, and sets a precedent for how such cases might be handled in the future.
In addition to Kivimäki's case, the district court in Western Uusimaa is set to address separate charges against a 28-year-old American resident in Estonia for complicity in attempted extortion related to the same data breach incident. The distinction between the roles of those involved, whether aiders or principal offenders in the hacking case, remains a critical issue as the legal proceedings continue, questioning the broader implications for cybersecurity enforcement and legal accountability in Finland and beyond.
