Oulu man suspected of numerous cases of sexual molestation of children
Taekwondo teacher remanded
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Police in the northern city of Oulu are investigating what they believe to be an exceptionally extensive case of repeated child molestation involving numerous victims.
The suspect is a 32-year-old Oulu man, who is a renowned teacher of the martial art Taekwondo.
He has been remanded in custody since late January on suspicion of several counts of molestation, and the investigation is expected to be completed soon.
Police are not releasing information in the case, because they want to protect the victims.
The matter came to the attention of the authorities through police surveillance after a tipoff of one of the victims, says Seppo Rautava of the Oulu police.
The man now faces several charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Police say that in those cases the suspected victims are about five girls under the age of 16.
Also on the list of charges is sexual assault of a number of girls aged 16 to 17. Rautava says that there are "dozens, if not hundreds" of such cases, and that not all of the victims have wanted to bring their cases to court.
The alleged crimes took place between the late 1990s and late last year, shortly before he was arrested.
Apparently, at least some of the alleged victims met the man through their Taekwondo hobby. The suspect has worked as a Taekwondo teacher and coach for years.
He is also the managing director of a wholesale business that bears his initials, and sells martial arts and sports equipment over the Internet.
The National Bureau of Investigation is also investigating the suspect’s business activities - both that of his company, and the use of funds of sports clubs that he is involved in. Police suspect tax evasion worth hundreds of thousands of euros.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 3.5.2006 - TODAY |
 Oulu man suspected of numerous cases of sexual molestation of children
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