The first machine was ready and Iranian Amirhossein Zareiydariyan had gone to the laundry room to put in a new batch of dirty clothes.
The 35-year-old had just started the program when he realized he was not alone in the room.
In the doorway stood another resident of the Migration Agency's reception and return center in Malmö. He had never spoken to him before.
The man behaved threateningly and as he approached, Amirhossein Zareiydariyan backed further into the laundry room. In the end, there was nowhere to go.
- He grabbed my neck tightly. I couldn't breathe.
After the stranglehold, the man put him down on the floor. Then came the punches and kicks. But also the violations due to his disposition.
- He said he hated homosexuals and "fuck you gays". Then he pointed to my painted nails.
Amirhossein Zareiydariyan shows how he himself huddled in the corner of the washroom, with his hands to protect his head, while the beating continued. With the machines running, no one could hear his cries for help.
- Finally he said: "Get out, I never want to see you again". I ran as fast as I could.
- I'm just glad he didn't have a knife. Then I don't know how it would have ended.
From the autumn of 2025, asylum seekers and persons with deportation orders must live at the Migration Agency's reception and return center in order to be entitled to financial compensation.
At the same time, security at the residences has been criticized after reports of disturbances and crime.
The month before the beating of Amirhossein Zareiydariyan, another man was sentenced for lunging with a knife at the residence in Malmö. The crime was preceded by a fight in the dining room. The man was sentenced to prison and deportation for gross illegal threats.
The investigation shows that families with children were in the corridor when the knife attack occurred.
- I can still hear how the children and women screamed, says one of the men who was attacked in an interrogation.
In a recent report from the Institute for Human Rights, residents of several of the Swedish Migration Agency's centers testify to an existence characterized by insecurity.
- Several say that they are afraid to leave their rooms. Parents say they don't feel comfortable letting their children out in public spaces, says investigator Ida Gunge.
The testimonies are about everything from conflicts between residents to outright fights and harassment.
- Children have been exposed to inappropriate behaviour, unwelcome physical contact and unwanted approaches. Parents also say that children have witnessed fights.
Several residents also feel that the staff do not always call the police, even though there is a need. Others say that they have not received information that it is possible to report incidents to the police.
The report's conclusion is clear:
- These centers are not suitable accommodation for families with children.
During the spring, the government tasked the Swedish Migration Agency with strengthening security at its accommodation facilities. Among other things, the government wanted to see more staff, also outside office hours.
Amirhossein Zareiydaryan's accommodation in Malmö has room for 500 people. Currently, around 220 people are enrolled.
Going forward, there will be at least five employees on site around the clock, in addition to security guards.
- On evenings and weekends, we clearly have fewer employees. Now we are increasing the staffing, says Liselotte Ingesson Politis, who is section manager at the accommodation.
The violent crimes that occurred during the year are unusual events that the Swedish Migration Agency is now trying to learn from, she says.
- It could be about screwing up the roundabouts or that we see things that we need to pay more attention to.
But despite the measures, it will never be possible to rule out new incidents, she notes.
- We can never guarantee that nothing will happen. We can only do our part to make it happen as rarely as possible.
It's gotten better, but the bruises are still visible on his torso when Amirhossein Zareiydariyan lifts up his T-shirt.
When DN meets him, it is three weeks to the day since the verdict was handed down against his perpetrator. The 35-year-old managed without serious injuries, but still has but after the assault.
- I had pain in my jaw for several days. Couldn't chew on my left side. But the worst part was getting up and going to bed. It still hurts.
The court found that a homophobic hate crime motive made the man attack him. In questioning, the man continued to express gross homophobia. He described his victim as a "creature" that made him lose his appetite. Had there been a brick in the laundry room, he would have used it in the assault.
Amirhossein Zareiydariyan fears for his life the day the perpetrator is released from prison. But he does not intend to stop wearing the rainbow colors, he says.
- I am very afraid to meet him again. I hope I never do.
The government wants the Swedish Migration Agency to investigate whether camera surveillance can strengthen the security of its residences. Amirhossein Zareiydariyan would like to see cameras in the more secluded parts of the premises, such as the laundry room.
- When the door is closed, no one can hear one there. Then it can go exactly as it did for me.
