Swedish Politicians Charged with Gross Misconduct

Six local politicians in Staffanstorp, Skåne, have been charged with gross misconduct following their decision to refuse quota refugees. Previously, the chairman of the municipal council, Christian Sonesson (M), revealed he was summoned for questioning regarding the decision not to accept quota refugees.

The six politicians are accused of gross misconduct for deciding not to accept a Syrian family of four assigned to the municipality by the Migration Agency in March 2022.

Among those suspected and called for questioning is the prominent M-party leader, municipal council chairman Christian Sonesson (M).

"Legally and judicially, we currently know nothing more than that all members have the right to a public defender," Sonesson wrote on his Facebook in connection with the hearings.

Denial of Charges

According to the indictment, the decision violated the law as a municipality is obliged to follow the Migration Agency's decisions.

"A municipality is required to accept a newcomer after assignment. The proposal from the chairman and the municipal board's decision contravenes the settlement law. I have therefore filed charges against six people in the municipal board who participated in the vote without dissenting. The crime is considered serious as the accused have severely abused their position as municipal politicians. It has also had consequences for both individuals and the public," says prosecutor Magdalena Petersson in a press release.

The six accused deny the charges.

"This is an untested area, we need to establish a precedent on what applies. As far as I know, there are no previous judgments in this area," says Magdalena Petersson.

Expressen has contacted Sonesson, who states he is unaware of the indictment.