Mohamed Ali says he will keep his seat during election probe

Newly elected Left Party MP Mohamed Ali says he has no plans to leave parliament, despite an investigation into suspected election fraud linked to his campaign in Borlänge, SVT reports. Ali is not suspected of a crime.

After missing his first weeks in parliament, Ali gave his first interview to SVT. He said it felt good to represent voters who had placed their trust in him, but that the past few weeks had been difficult.

Ali said he welcomed the investigation and was satisfied with his campaign, which he said included visiting several municipalities in Dalarna, meeting voters and knocking on doors. “I have not been notified that I am suspected of any crime. I will keep my seat in parliament,” he said.

Questions have also been raised about Ali’s finances and unpaid debts. He was undergoing debt restructuring through the Swedish Enforcement Authority when he was elected. Ali said he intends to repay his debts as soon as he can, and argued that his life experience could help him make a difference in parliament.

Ali described the period since the election as very difficult and said he had sometimes felt unwell because of what he called false information written about him. Left Party group leader Samuel Gonzales Westling said the party supports Ali, adding that people should have the chance to show they can change.