A Helsinki district court has convicted Milan Jaff for gross defamation and spreading information violating private life. The court found Jaff revealed identities of sexual crime victims during a podcast while their case was still ongoing. This serious breach of privacy laws resulted in substantial suffering for the victims.
Jaff appeared on rapper Milad Dehghan's Leveli podcast in October 2022. During the broadcast, he disclosed the names of women involved in his separate sexual offense case. The court had previously ordered these identities kept confidential. Jaff and Dehghan discussed protected details about the victims openly.
The court documents reveal disturbing behavior during the podcast. Dehghan laughed about one victim's concerns and showed contempt while reading her social media posts. Jaff suggested one victim deserved her treatment during the assault. Both men repeatedly questioned the victims' credibility throughout the broadcast.
This case highlights Finland's strict privacy protections for sexual crime victims. The legal system typically shields identities to encourage reporting and protect victims from additional trauma. Violating these protections carries serious consequences, as demonstrated by this ruling.
Jaff received a 70-day unconditional prison sentence. The court considered his previous criminal record when determining the punishment. Dehghan received a seven-month conditional prison term. Both men must jointly pay 7,000 euros in damages to each victim.
The podcast episode remained available on YouTube, which has at least 53,500 subscribers. This wide reach amplified the harm to victims. The court noted the men caused particularly severe damage given the platform's substantial audience.
Both defendants denied the charges during proceedings. Jaff claimed he only discussed publicly available information. Dehghan argued he aimed to create socially important discussion. The court rejected these arguments, noting the clear violation of privacy protections.
This case occurs amid Jaff's ongoing immigration issues. Authorities previously revoked his residence permit and ordered deportation to Iraq. He has appealed that decision. The new convictions may affect his immigration case.
The ruling sends a strong message about victim protections in Finland's legal system. It demonstrates that violating confidentiality orders carries real consequences, even when done through media platforms. The substantial damages awarded reflect the serious impact on victims' lives.
Legal experts note this case could influence how podcast hosts handle sensitive topics. Content creators may need greater awareness of privacy laws when discussing ongoing legal matters. The conviction shows that claiming public interest doesn't override victim protections.