Lundsberg boarding school head calls abuse allegations “appalling”

The head of Lundsberg boarding school has described allegations of racism, hazing, and violence at the elite institution as “appalling,” following a Swedish public broadcaster investigation that exposed widespread misconduct over several years.

Speaking in the final episode of Dokument inifrån: Arvtagarna (Inside the Heirs), a three-part SVT documentary series, operations manager Lars Jonsson acknowledged the severity of the claims, which include reports of a “gas chamber” initiation ritual, violent hazing, and racist abuse.

“All students must feel safe and well here,” Jonsson told SVT. “It’s appalling. We have a modernization process underway and have increased adult supervision.”

The series centers on accounts from students, parents, and former staff, including Gunilla and Alfred von Platen, whose son was among five students convicted of assault and aggravated violation of domestic peace after attacking younger pupils. All five have appealed their convictions.

The von Platens have criticized the school for failing to report a “rap battle” event where students were subjected to racist and antisemitic slurs, despite staff being present. Jonsson maintained that investigators examined the broader context of the assault, including prior incidents.

Sweden’s Equality Ombudsman has since launched an inquiry into the school.