A Swedish court has ruled that Yazied Mohamed, an Eritrean refugee convicted of raping Meya Åberg, a then-16-year-old, will not face deportation after serving his prison sentence. The court’s decision, reported on October 22, 2025, is based on the assessment that the duration of the incident does not meet the legal definition of an “exceptionally serious crime,” which would warrant expulsion.
The incident took place on September 1, 2024, when Åberg was walking home from her job at McDonald’s after missing her bus. According to the report by La Derecha Diario, she was assaulted in a pedestrian tunnel. Åberg’s family promptly reported the incident to the authorities. Subsequently, Mohamed was sentenced to three years in prison for the crime.
The Alto Norrland Court of Appeals stated that while rape is generally regarded as an exceptionally serious offense, each case must be evaluated on its individual circumstances. The court concluded that the nature and duration of the assault did not justify deportation under current Swedish law.
“Rape is, in many cases, considered an exceptionally serious offense that could justify the deportation of a refugee. However, each case must be evaluated individually,” the court explained. “Given the nature and duration of the incident, the court considers that it doesn’t constitute an exceptionally serious crime that warrants deportation.”
The ruling references guidelines established by the United Nations in 1951 regarding the status of refugees, which protect individuals in such situations unless there are extreme circumstances. The court found no immediate threat to public order that would necessitate Mohamed’s removal from the country.
This decision has drawn attention to a broader issue within Europe, where cases involving migrants facing relatively lenient sentences for sexual offenses have been reported. A 2018 study by a Swedish public broadcaster indicated that approximately 58% of all rapes or attempted rapes in Sweden were committed by foreign nationals.
The court’s ruling illustrates the complex interplay between legal definitions of crimes, refugee protections, and public safety concerns. The implications of this case may influence future legal proceedings and public discourse surrounding immigration and criminal justice in Sweden and beyond.
