Six convicted in 'honour' beating with metal rods

Six men in Hallsberg, central Sweden, have been convicted and sentenced to prison after the severe honour-related beating of a 19-year-old with metal rods at a gym.

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The young man turned up bleeding at the reception of the local gym Alléhallen in Hallsberg in the beginning of October last year. He was quickly taken to hospital where medical staff performed emergency surgery.

Police quickly suspected six men who had been in the gym previous to the beating. They allegedly beat the 19-year-old so severely with metal bars that he was close to losing his life.

According to the prosecutor, the men wanted to protect the daughter in their family after an alleged kidnapping attempt.

The young woman’s father was convicted of aggravated assault and sentenced to four years in prison.

His three sons were all convicted of attempted murder and two will serve time in prison, two received 6 year sentences and the third 5.5 years. The two sons with the longer sentence will also be deported from Sweden after having served their time and not allowed back for at least ten years.

The man who owned the gym where the beating took place was also convicted to 2.5 years in prison while his 19-year-old son will serve one year.

Prosecutor Karl-Erik Antonsson had charged all six with attempted murder as he thought it was clear that they had acted together, that they all were aware of what was going to happen and that they left the man in such a state that he would have died, had he not been taken so quickly to hospital.

“I haven’t had a chance to read the verdict yet so I am not sure whether I will appeal, but it isn’t completely out of the question. The father was only convicted of aggravated assault and I am hesitant to accept that as nothing took place without his blessing,” Antonsson told TT.

However, he said that what makes the case difficult to judge is that the perpetrators came and went and that the father arrived at the crime scene after the first, more serious, stab wounds were dealt.

“At the same time we know that he was mapping out the victim’s movements the days before the crime was committed,” said Antonsson.

The victim’s lawyer, Elisabeth Fritz, told TT that she will be contacting her client to discuss whether he will accept the 150,000 kronor ($22,284) damages that he has been awarded, as he had asked for twice as much.

Her client was very badly beaten and there is a risk of future physical problems from an injured nerve in his face.

TT/The Local/rm
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