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A Swedish court sentenced a 61-year-old man to four years and five months in prison on Tuesday for having “ruthlessly exploited” his wife to have sex with scores of men for payment.
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The man was convicted of “aggravated pimping” as well as attempted rape, assault and issuing threats, as well as a minor drug offence, the court said in a statement, noting the actions took place over three years.
“The district court has found that the man was the one who initiated the woman’s entry into prostitution and was also the person who handled most of the operation’s administration,” it said.
It also said the actions were considered aggravated because the “plaintiff was ruthlessly exploited.”
The case, in which the prosecutor said some 120 buyers had been identified, has shocked Sweden.
It has drawn comparisons with France’s Gisèle Pelicot, whose husband was convicted in 2024 of drugging her and letting scores of men rape her while she was unconscious.
“The trial has been long and demanding for the parties and others involved. The publicity has also been perceived by many parties as a particular strain,” judge Johan Ahlberg said.
Prosecutor Ida Annerstedt told the AFP news agency at the start of the trial in April that the woman had “a serious fear” of her husband.
Annerstedt told the court that the man had warned his wife not to anger him, because then “the monster would be released.”
The court established “that the man influenced and coerced his wife into performing sexual acts on herself, broadcasting them online, receiving additional sex buyers, and attempting to persuade neighbors and customers to have sex with her,” Judge Johan Ahlberg said in a statement.
“In many cases, this was also done through prolonged nagging and the use of unpleasant and condescending language.”
However, the court dismissed the eight charges of rape against the man.
It said that in seven of the incidents it was not clear whether her participation had been voluntary, while in one instance it was not clear what sexual acts had taken place.
Out of the 29 people charged with buying sex, 28 had been convicted, the court said. Two of them had been handed prison sentences, while the rest had been given fines or suspended sentences.
Additional sources • AP, AFP
