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Verdict reached in Malmö teen pimping trial

TT/The Local
TT/The Local - [email protected]
Verdict reached in Malmö teen pimping trial
Teen pimping suspects on trial during at Malmö district court on September 27

A court in Malmö in southern Sweden sentenced several men to prison on Tuesday for their role in selling a mentally handicapped 14-year-old girl for sex.

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The 18-year-old man believed to be the ringleader of the teen pimping scandal was sentenced to one year in prison for aggravated pimping.

A 35-year-old man was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for child rape as well as aggravated pimping.

Prosecutor Ulrika Rogland had requested a sentence of eight years in prison for both men, who had been charged for taking advantage of the 14-year-old girl and taking payment from other men who then had sex with the girl.

A 51-year-old man was also sentenced to two years in prison for child rape.

A total of ten men were originally charged in the case, which related to how the 14-year-old girl, who had been diagnosed with learning difficulties, was in March drugged with alcohol and narcotics and then abused sexually by several men.

The case carried additional significance because it represented the first time prosecutors in Sweden attempted to classify pimping crimes as human trafficking, as the girl had been taken to several locations where she was taken advantage of sexually.

The start of the trial was also delayed after threats were made to the judge originally assigned to preside over the hearings.

“I’m not totally happy, but on the other hand, not totally unhappy either,” said attorney Jan-Anders Hybelius, who defended the 18-year-old that prosecutors had pointed out as the ringleader.

Hybelius explained that his client hadn’t been convicted of human trafficking, and was also freed child rape charges. But he 18-year-old was found guilty of aggravated pimping and sentenced to one year in prison.

“I’m going to speak with him and then we’ll make a decision about an appeal,” said Hybelius.

Four of the men originally charged in the case were freed of all charges.

A 27-year-old man was found guilty of aggravated fraud and sentenced to one year in prison, and a 17-year-old was fined for purchasing sexual services.

Prosecutors’ attempts to gain convictions for human trafficking were unsuccessful.

Rogland said that she plans to appeal at least certain aspects of the ruling.

“I very much to have a higher court rule on whether what has happened can be considered human trafficking,” she told TT.

Rogland also pointed out that a couple of the men who had sex with the 14-year-old were convicted of aggravated child rape, while others weren’t found guilty of the same crime.

“I don’t understand the logic,” she said.

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