In a controversial move, Staffanstorp refused to accept four Syrian quota refugees, leaving the family stranded at the airport. Six local politicians, including the moderate councilor Christan Sonesson, now face charges of gross misconduct. The decision, which prioritized Ukrainian refugees, has sparked legal and emotional turmoil.
Staffanstorp's Refusal to Accept Refugees Leads to Legal Action Against Politicians
Family Left Stranded at Airport: "Cried"
Staffanstorp refused to accept four quota refugees, leading to the indictment of six politicians. The family, who arrived in Sweden, was left waiting at the airport without any information.
The family from Syria was selected as quota refugees by the UN's refugee agency and placed in Sweden in the spring of 2022. The Swedish Migration Agency, responsible for distribution, decided to place the family in Staffanstorp, Skåne.
However, when the family landed at Sturup Airport in Malmö, no representative from the municipality was there to receive them, leaving the family confused.
No One Showed Up at the Airport
Other quota refugees on the same flight were picked up by their new home municipalities.
"We were surprised that no municipality was waiting for us," said the mother during police questioning in 2023.
The family was then put in a taxi and driven to a hotel, still unaware of the situation.
A little over a month earlier, the municipal council in Staffanstorp decided on a total stop for quota refugees, against existing legislation. The politicians wanted to prioritize Ukrainian refugees instead.
"A person from the Migration Agency came to the hotel and informed us that Staffanstorp's municipality refused to accept refugees," the mother recounted during questioning.
She described the difficult emotions after receiving the news.
Six Politicians Indicted
"Every time I think about it, it hurts," she said during questioning, adding that she cried a lot when they received the news.
The father also described the difficult emotions during questioning.
"We were shocked. We fled the war, were selected as quota refugees, and chose Sweden because we always knew it as the land of freedom," he said.
"Ukrainians are a friendly people who have suffered from the war. We have also suffered from war, why should I be worth less than others?" he further stated during questioning.
The family was then placed in another municipality.
Six municipal politicians, including the moderate councilor Christan Sonesson, are now indicted on suspicion of gross misconduct.
The prosecutor says it is an untested area but believes in a conviction. The six accused deny any wrongdoing.
Sonesson wrote on Facebook that the prolonged police investigation has been "testing" and that he believes no crime has been committed.