Court Rules Against Deportation of Caregiver Convicted of Raping 100-Year-Old Woman Amid Outrage

Shakir Mahmoud Shakir, a 38-year-old caregiver in Stockholm, was sentenced to four years in prison for raping a 100-year-old woman while on duty. The assault occurred when the elderly woman, experiencing chest pains, called for help, and Shakir responded, claiming he would apply cream but then sexually assaulted her for ten minutes. Despite the conviction, the Södertörn District Court decided not to deport Shakir, citing his strong ties to Sweden, including his daughter, a Swedish citizen, and his established life in the country.

Prosecutor Linn Nyberg had sought a ten-year deportation, underscoring the seriousness of the crime, but the court balanced the harshness of the offense against Shakir's family connections, ultimately permitting him to remain. The victim's testimony was found to be detailed and coherent despite her advanced age, and Shakir was acquitted in a separate rape charge due to insufficient evidence.

While the victim expressed relief at the conviction, her lawyer Anders Unnbäck criticized the decision not to deport Shakir, arguing he had limited real ties to Sweden and highlighted the emotional toll on his client. The victim's family also calls for reforms in home care hiring and reporting protocols. The ruling has sparked political outrage: Migration Minister Johan Forssell condemned past government policies, labeling Sweden a "haven for criminals," while other politicians stressed the need to toughen deportation laws for foreign offenders. Judge Mohamed Ali defended the decision, emphasizing the importance of considering community ties alongside crime severity.

The prosecutor has announced plans to appeal both the conviction and the decision not to deport. The case highlights tensions between justice for victims, immigration policy, and legal discretion in deportation cases involving serious criminal acts committed by immigrants.