Swedish Court Spares Migrant Rapist from Deportation, Citing Offence Was Not “Exceptionally Serious”

A Swedish court has sparked outrage after deciding not to deport a 19-year-old migrant convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl, ruling that the nature and duration of the offence did not amount to an “exceptionally serious” crime under Swedish law.

According to a report by Mail Online, the offender, identified as Yazied Mohamed, a 19-year-old Eritrean refugee, attacked 16-year-old Meya Åberg as she was walking home from work in Skellefteå, northern Sweden.

The incident occurred as the teenager walked through a tunnel after finishing a shift at McDonald’s. Mohamed allegedly snatched her phone and dragged her into the tunnel, where he sexually assaulted her before she managed to escape and call for help.

Despite the victim’s report to police, Mohamed was initially acquitted due to what authorities described as a “lack of evidence.” Shockingly, on her first day back at school, Ms. Åberg reportedly encountered her attacker, who was believed to also be a student.

Following an appeal, the Court of Appeal for Upper Norrland found Mohamed guilty and sentenced him to three years in prison, ordering him to pay 240,000 kronor (approximately £19,000) in compensation to the victim.

However, prosecutors’ efforts to have the offender deported were rejected by the court. In its ruling, the judges stated that, while serious, the nature and duration of the assault did not meet the threshold of an “exceptionally serious offence” — the legal standard required for deportation under Swedish immigration law.

“Given the nature and duration of the offence, while serious, it does not constitute an exceptionally serious offence warranting deportation,” the court stated.

Under Swedish law, a migrant can only be deported if their crime is deemed exceptionally serious and if they pose an ongoing threat to public safety.

The ruling has sparked widespread public outrage, with critics  including prominent political figures condemning the decision.

Former UK Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi described the judgment as “madness,” writing on social media:

“An injustice done to the poor girl and her family. A mad judgement deport this criminal. Sweden, wake up! If the law is an ass, then change the law.”

Speaking to local media, the victim, Meya Åberg, expressed her distress over the verdict.

“I want to say that I hate him and that he has destroyed me,” she said.

The case has reignited debate in Sweden about judicial leniency, migrant crime, and sentencing laws relating to sexual violence, with many calling for legal reforms to ensure that offenders convicted of such crimes face deportation.