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Gothenburg Court Convicts Two Men in Human Trafficking Case

Two men were sentenced in Gothenburg for human trafficking an 18-year-old woman into prostitution.

Key Points

  • • Two men convicted for exploiting an 18-year-old woman through coercion.
  • • The victim was forced into prostitution, living on scraps and threatened with violence.
  • • Men received sentences of 1 year and 9 months, and 1 year and 6 months; ordered to pay 300,000 kronor to the victim.
  • • Police emphasize ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking in Sweden.

In a significant legal development, the Gothenburg District Court has sentenced two men for their roles in the human trafficking and exploitation of an 18-year-old woman. The woman, who was lured to Sweden with promises of a better life and a decent job, instead faced coercion into prostitution under threatening conditions.

After her arrival in Sweden, the victim was confined in monitored rooms where she was forced to engage in sexual acts with buyers who had been invited by the defendants. Reports indicate that she lived on scraps of food and was subjected to threats of violence should she refuse to comply. Messages recovered during the police investigation revealed the men’s intentions, with one stating he would 'keep her all night to make money' and threats of physical harm if she failed to meet financial expectations.

The court sentenced one man to 1 year and 9 months in prison, while the other received a 1-year and 6-month sentence. In addition to their prison terms, they were ordered to pay 300,000 kronor in damages to the victim. The court emphasized the credibility of the young woman’s testimony over the defendants’ claims that she was operating independently.

Eva Larsson, an investigator in the police's international crime unit, highlighted the case as part of a broader effort to combat human trafficking and the sex trade in Sweden. The incident follows a recent increase in convictions related to sex trafficking in Gothenburg, signaling ongoing police efforts and the implementation of new investigative strategies to tackle this grave issue. Larsson remarked on the significant emotional and physical impact that such exploitation has on victims, reiterating the need for continued vigilance against human trafficking.