Court of Appeal changes verdict: Woman sentenced for rape after party in Rissne

In May 2024, the police announced that they were investigating a suspected gang rape after a derailed apartment party in Rissne in Sundbyberg municipality. Seven people were arrested – two of whom were women in their 20s.

The men were released, but the women were charged with aggravated rape and assault of a woman who had been at the party. The investigation showed that the sequence of events was triggered by an argument. According to the plaintiff, one of the accused women became furious with her when she saluted with her left hand. "You must greet me with the right hand," the woman is said to have said.

Then the situation escalated and the plaintiff was attacked. She was abused and subjected to sexual acts. According to the prosecutor, an object was brought into the plaintiff.

However, the Solna district court did not judge that it was a rape and instead sentenced the women to one year and six months in prison for gross sexual assault and assault.

- It is not to be equated with intercourse, said councilor Ewa Lindbäck when the verdict was announced.

Just before the turn of the year, the district court's verdict was overturned by the Svea Court of Appeal. The higher instance instead sentenced the older of the two women to three years in prison for rape. This while the younger was acquitted of gross sexual abuse.

According to the Court of Appeal, it was clear that the sexual act to which the plaintiff was subjected – in light of the circumstances, the injuries and pain she was caused and the seriousness of the violation – is comparable to sexual intercourse. A court of appeal disagreed and wanted to acquit the woman of rape.