Man re-arrested on suspicion of rape after release from prison in Stockholm

In 2022, a man known as the “Nytorg man” was sentenced to five years in prison by the Court of Appeal for multiple sexual offenses, including seven counts of rape. In total, he faced charges for 24 rapes, with many of the incidents occurring in his apartment in Stockholm, where some were recorded.

After serving two-thirds of his sentence, he was released from prison in March and was to remain under electronic surveillance. Recently, he was apprehended again on suspicion of rape, though details regarding when the alleged new offense took place are still unclear.

Paola Persson, a legal representative for two women in a previous case against him, expressed concern about the aftermath of his release. One of her clients experienced a panic attack upon hearing the news of his re-arrest, feeling powerless to protect other women from the man.

Ms. Persson highlighted that authorities had indicated inadequate rehabilitation during his imprisonment, and her client was not surprised by his potential return to criminal behavior. The emotional toll was significant, as it raised fears about the safety of others.

Calls for a review of laws regarding conditional release have been made, as current regulations treat offenders uniformly regardless of their rehabilitation progress. Ms. Persson advocates for new legislation to ensure that individuals with a high risk of reoffending do not receive the same treatment as those deemed rehabilitated. This incident has stirred public discourse on how such cases are managed within the justice system.