Criticism Mounts Over Police Handling of 2023 Prostitution Case Involving Pregnant Woman

In 2023, Swedish police investigated a case involving a pregnant woman in her 30s who was selling sex from a remote summer cottage in Karlskrona, sparking significant criticism over police handling. The woman admitted to servicing over 250 men in ten months, sometimes seeing seven clients per day, while her boyfriend, suspected of pimping, monitored her through surveillance cameras installed in the cottage purportedly for her safety. Despite these suspicions, police never charged the boyfriend due to insufficient evidence, leading to accusations that the investigation was mishandled and critical evidence, such as surveillance footage, may have been lost.

The complexity of pursuing pimping cases, much harder than straightforward sex purchase offenses, was highlighted by prosecutor Helene Gestrin. Critics also argue the police prioritized other cases over this one, delaying intervention and allowing the situation to worsen. Alongside this, investigations linked to at least 250 sex buyers were launched, including one against a TV4 journalist who denied any wrongdoing, claiming his interactions with the woman were professional; legal proceedings against him are scheduled for January.

The woman remains vulnerable, continuing sex work under precarious conditions. This case underscores challenges in investigating prostitution-related crimes, especially when involving control and exploitation.

In related developments, a Ukrainian woman in her 50s was murdered in Karlskrona, adding to ongoing scrutiny of police responses to violence against women. The 37-year-old suspect, previously investigated for assault and harassment of the victim and subject to a restraining order, denies the murder charges and remains in custody. Prosecutors continue examining the suspect's adherence to the restraining order amid broader concerns about protecting vulnerable women from repeated abuse.