Seven people have been charged in connection with the suspected honor killing of a woman in Eskilstuna, Sweden, last September, after she attempted to divorce her husband.
The victim, 27, was found dead in her home in the Nyfors district of Eskilstuna on Sept. 17, 2024, after she failed to report to work. According to prosecutors, she had been trying to end her marriage for several years.
In the days leading up to her death, her husband, who had been living abroad, returned to Sweden and was allegedly involved in closely monitoring her movements along with other family members, Aftonbladet reported on Wednesday.
“The investigation shows that the plaintiff has been trying to divorce her spouse for several years,” said prosecutor Tobias Lindblom. “During the weekend in question, the husband traveled from abroad, where he has lived for the past few years, to Eskilstuna and supervised the plaintiff together with several family members.”
Authorities believe the woman was murdered on Sept. 15 by her husband, who is suspected of strangling or suffocating her. Prosecutors claim that the murder was premeditated and that his mother played a central role in orchestrating the crime.
“All in all, I believe that at least part of the motive for the act has been to restore the family’s honor,” Lindblom stated.
The husband, his mother, and his brother have been charged with murder. The mother is also accused of conspiracy to commit murder, having allegedly attempted to recruit someone else to kill the woman in the fortnight leading up to the attack.
“There is also a recorded conversation between the deceased’s mother-in-law and the person she tried to instigate to murder the plaintiff, a few days before the murder was completed,” Lindblom added.
According to the indictment, the husband’s brother participated in the planning and reconnaissance, and helped to remove evidence after the crime. The husband’s sister and brother-in-law are also charged with aiding and abetting the murder.
Two additional women are charged with aggravated protection of a criminal, accused of helping the husband flee Sweden and tampering with evidence.
Three weeks after the murder, the husband and his mother were arrested in Athens, Greece, in coordination with Greek police. At the same time, the brother, sister, and brother-in-law were arrested in Södermanland County.
Despite the extensive evidence, including witness interrogations, tracked movements of the suspects, and digital communications, all of the accused deny the charges.