Artist to be Prosecuted for Stockholm Assault

"I have today commenced criminal proceedings against the three individuals suspected of assault causing actual bodily harm, having come to the conclusion that the events in question constitute a crime and despite claims of self-defence and provocation. In reaching this conclusion, I have studied the videos made available to the inquiry. It is worth noting that I have had access to a greater amount of material than that which has previously been available on the internet. In addition to video material, the injured party’s statements have been supported by witness statements," says public prosecutor Daniel Suneson of the City Public Prosecution Office.

The alleged assault took place on 30 June in central Stockholm. The three men who have now been charged were held on the night of 3 July and have been in custody since then. They were initially suspected of aggravated assault. Stockholm District Court decided to remand the three men in custody on 5 July, on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm.

"There were initially two injured parties in the case; however, the allegations concerning one of these were dropped due to insufficient supporting evidence. The prosecution I have now brought therefore relates to only one injured party. A counter allegation was also made against one of the injured parties by the artist’s bodyguard. This case was investigated and closed on 22 July," says Daniel Suneson.

What happens now?
The three individuals will remain on remand until the trial. Stockholm District Court will decide on a date for the trial to commence. The public prosecutor recommends that three days be set aside for the hearing.

Stockholm District Court, Case No. B 9283-19

Contact
Public prosecutor Daniel Suneson of the City Public Prosecution Office is available to the media via telephone today between 9:00 and 12:00 on +46 (0)10 562 55 93. No interviews will be given by any means other than over the telephone. Interviews may be conducted in Swedish or English.

Press Service
+46 10 562 50 20

Prosecutor – part of a legal system
Swedish prosecutors are independent when making decisions concerning prosecution or coercive measures, such as search and arrest. This means that each prosecutor is solely responsible for his or her decisions, and that these decisions cannot be changed by a prosecutor’s superior, for example.

The role of the Ministry of Justice
Within the Government Offices, the Ministry of Justice has the primary responsibility for matters relating to the judicial system, including the budgets and administration of the government agencies.

The Ministry of Justice may not interfere with the way a government agency applies a law or takes a decision in a specific case in its exercise of public authority.

The Swedish judicial system (pdf)