Severi Lahtinen received a two-year sentence for rape. JYP shelved the player.
Severi Lahtinen is appealing his sentence to the Court of Appeal. Vesa Pöppönen / AOP
SM league hockey player Severi Lahtinen was sentenced to two years in prison for rape on Tuesday in Päijät-Häme district court.
The judgment is not binding. Lahtinen says on his Instagram account that he will appeal the verdict to the Court of Appeal.
– I have been sentenced today for a crime that I did not commit. At the moment, my feelings cannot be described in words. Life’s priorities were redefined today, writes Lahtinen, who represents JYP in the SM league.
It was undisputed in court that Lahtinen had sex with the victim in June 2022. In Lahtinen’s opinion, the sex was consensual.
– Even though this is the most unfair and absurd thing that has happened to me in my life, the fact that my conscience is clear makes me feel better.
According to the prosecutor, due to his state of intoxication and/or sleep, the victim was unable to defend himself and form or express his desire for sexual intercourse. According to the district court, Lahtinen was guilty of rape.
JYP shelved
Lahtinen is playing his fourth season in JYP. The club announced on Tuesday that it has moved Lahtinen aside from its activities for the time being.
– Our club’s player has been convicted of a serious crime in the district court of Päijät-Häme. Based on the verdict, the player’s actions have violated JYP’s core values and operating principles. JYP will clarify the related legal aspects of both the employer’s and the employee’s rights and will announce its decision shortly, CEO of JYP Jyväskylä Oy Risto Korpela said in the release.
Iltalehti has not reached JYP to comment on the matter.