A 60-year-old Hells Angels veteran has been arrested and detained on suspicion of murder in Karlstad, Sweden. The man, known for his long-standing ties to the motorcycle club, appeared in court with a smile and a kiss to the audience, despite the serious charges. The case involves the murder of a man in his 40s, with connections to a strip club linked to Hells Angels. The suspect denies the charges, while another man is also under investigation for protecting a criminal.
Hells Angels Veteran Arrested for Murder: A Dramatic Courtroom Appearance
Hells Angels Veteran Arrested for Murder: A Dramatic Courtroom Appearance
The 60-year-old Hells Angels veteran smiled, blew a kiss to the courtroom audience, and said:
– Nice to see you
The HA member also took the opportunity to greet his clubmates who were present in Karlstad District Court on Friday to show their support, reports NWT.
The man was arrested on Wednesday after being wanted in his absence for two days.
– A couple of interrogations have been held, and he denies the crime, says the 60-year-old's defense lawyer Lennart Lefverström to the newspaper.
The 60-year-old's cheerful demeanor in the courtroom stands in stark contrast to the crime he is suspected of – the murder of a man in his 40s who was found lifeless in central Karlstad early in the morning on July 13.
Blood traces from the man led to a strip club with connections to Hells Angels, according to Expressen's information.
The victim knew several members of the club's Karlstad chapter but was not a member himself, according to NWT's information.
Reasonably Suspected
The 60-year-old, who was detained on Friday as reasonably suspected, the lower degree of suspicion, of having murdered him, belongs to the veterans within the club.
This year, the Court of Appeal upheld a weapons crime conviction of two years in prison against the man for storing a revolver hidden under a roof ridge in the clubhouse.
The evidence included an examination of the 60-year-old's mobile phone, which, according to the prosecutor, confirmed that he was the club's sergeant at arms, responsible for weapons, at the time.
In a probation investigation from last year, it emerges that the 60-year-old, according to his own information supported by the Swedish Prison and Probation Service's security service and the police, has been a member of the criminal motorcycle club Hells Angels for about 20 years.
The man's involvement in the criminal motorcycle environment, however, began nearly three decades ago, according to Expressen's information.
In the investigation into the murder, another man is suspected of gross protection of a criminal. He has been released after previously being detained and denies the crime, reports NWT, which has been in contact with the man's lawyer.