The Svea Court of Appeal has confirmed the life sentence for Jonael Araya, known as 'Ghost', for his involvement in the Skogås murder and plans to kill rapper Jack Thrife. Araya, a key figure in the criminal Foxtrot network, was previously sentenced to 18 years for attempted murder and drug offenses. His identity was concealed under aliases on encrypted apps. The court also upheld sentences for two other men involved in the murder plot.
Court Upholds Life Sentence for 'Ghost' in High-Profile Murder Case
Court Upholds Life Sentence for 'Ghost' in High-Profile Murder Case
Under the alias 'Ghost', he orchestrated murder squads and planned extensive drug trafficking. Now, the Svea Court of Appeal has confirmed the life sentence against the alleged Foxtrot leader Jonael Araya, 29, for aiding the Skogås murder and plotting against rapper Jack Thrife.
On Wednesday, the Svea Court of Appeal upheld the life sentence against Jonael Araya.
The court agrees with the district court's assessment that Araya is part of the criminal Foxtrot network and convicts him on the same charges of murder, attempted murder, and preparation for murder.
"Just like in the district court, the case has largely revolved around interpreting the meaning of chats and voice messages," says Court of Appeal Judge Johan Klefbäck in a statement.
Last year, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison for aiding an attempted murder in Sundbyberg and serious drug offenses.
For many years, he managed to hide his identity behind fitting aliases on the encrypted chat app Signal: Ghost and Ghost worldwide.
Court of Appeal: Murder Plot Targeted 15-Year-Old
However, after being arrested and extradited from Greece in 2023, the net tightened, and in June, he was convicted for one of the most high-profile acts in recent gang wars: the Skogås murder, where a 15-year-old boy was lured to a sushi restaurant in the suburbs and shot dead in January 2023.
The Court of Appeal also confirms the verdict on Araya's murder plot against rapper Jack Thrife.
The district court chose to overturn his 18-year prison sentence and instead sentenced Araya to life imprisonment for aiding the Skogås murder and other crimes.
The Court of Appeal makes the same decision.
Two other men, aged 20 and 22, were convicted by the district court for conspiracy to murder on January 25 or 26, 2023. The Court of Appeal upholds the verdict against them.
"Unlike the district court, the Court of Appeal believes the investigation shows that the murder plot they were involved in targeted the 15-year-old who was shot dead in Skogås on January 28, 2023," comments Johan Klefbäck.