Sweden Democrats MP under investigation for child pornography offences resigns from party roles

A Sweden Democrats member of parliament under investigation for child pornography offences has stepped down from all party positions and been suspended from the party, Swedish public broadcaster SVT reports.

Party leader Jimmie Åkesson described the allegations as “extremely serious” in his first public comments on the case. “This is deeply disturbing,” he told SVT on Wednesday. “These are horrendous crimes that we combat forcefully, both politically and through other means.”

The MP, whose name has not been disclosed, held several senior roles within the party. Åkesson stated he had not spoken directly with the individual and acknowledged there was “no easy way to handle a situation like this.”

Police conducted a search of the MP’s home last week, seizing multiple electronic devices for analysis, according to prosecutor Lena Körner of the Special Prosecutor’s Office. The MP was released after questioning but remains a suspect in the investigation.

The case originated from a tip by the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which annually forwards tens of thousands of reports on suspected child pornography offences to Swedish authorities. The investigation concerns alleged offences committed at an undisclosed location in Sweden.

When asked whether the party had received any prior warnings, Åkesson responded: “You can’t tell by looking at someone whether they have these inclinations.”

In an October 2025 opinion piece, Åkesson had advocated for lifetime public registration of paedophiles, writing: “Paedophiles should be branded for life.”