Swedish teenager goes on trial over alleged contract killing

A 16-year-old Swedish boy went on trial in Denmark on Monday, accused of attempting to kill someone he did not know. DR reports that the case is being heard at the Lyngby Court.

The boy was 15 when he allegedly travelled from Linköping in Sweden to Denmark to carry out a killing on commission. According to the indictment, he stayed in an apartment in Værløse, northwest of Copenhagen, from 29 June to 1 July last year, where he was prepared to carry out the killing.

The alleged killing was prevented when he was arrested before it took place. The indictment does not state who allegedly ordered the killing or who was intended to be targeted.

Two men, aged 28 and 29, and a 51-year-old woman are also charged with aiding attempted murder. All three live in Denmark and allegedly helped facilitate the plan. All four defendants deny the charges.

Prosecutors allege that the 29-year-old arranged the accommodation, bought groceries, obtained an electric bicycle and instructed the Swedish teenager on how to carry out the killing.

The 28-year-old man and the woman are accused of possessing a rubbish bag containing a semi-automatic pistol, 13 rounds of ammunition, a latex mask and disposable gloves. According to the indictment, the man handed the bag to the teenager while the woman kept watch.

The case took another turn in July this year when the teenager escaped from Bakkegården, a secure institution for children and young people in Nykøbing Sjælland, where he was being held. He and another boy were arrested again the same day and charged with escaping.

The Lyngby Court has scheduled 15 hearings in the case. The trial is due to conclude on 24 November. If convicted, the teenager would then be the youngest Swedish person convicted in Denmark in a case involving crime carried out on commission.