Today, a 40-year-old man was sentenced to prison and deportation after he tried to collect money for the PKK.
Hans Ihrman, deputy chief prosecutor, is satisfied with the outcome, while the man’s defense lawyer tells TV4 that the verdict will be appealed.
– It is particularly important in light of the fact that for the first time it is established in a Swedish judgment that the PKK is a terrorist organization also according to Swedish law, says Hans Ihrman.
The sentence is unique in its kind as it is the first time a person in Sweden has been convicted of attempted terrorist financing by the PKK.
– For the first time, it has become clear to the public that this organization does not only engage in legal expressions of opinion in the form of demonstrations or the like, but that they are responsible for a very extensive criminal activity in Sweden and in other countries in Europe, says Hans Ihrman to TV4 Nyheterna.
He also says that he is satisfied with the outcome, not least against the background that the district court had made the same assessment of the evidence as he had.
Hans Ihrman does not want to speculate on how the verdict would have turned out with the new terror laws in Sweden, but he believes this verdict could be a basis for future cases.
– It is difficult to speculate, but it can be established with this judgment in that we have a judgment in which a court has stated that the PKK is a terrorist organization. In that case, it can lead to different types of support functions, so that this organization can be penalized in the future.
Therefore, the prosecutor demanded deportation
The man was sentenced to prison for 4 years and 6 months. He is also to be expelled from Sweden and forbidden to return here. Violation of the ban can result in imprisonment for a maximum of 1 year.
The man’s lawyer has previously said that the man risks persecution in Turkey if he is deported. The Swedish Migration Agency has also said that there are obstacles to enforcement of deportation.
Despite that, the prosecutor demanded the punishment.
– That it is an obstacle to business is not something that I, the prosecutor, should take into account in that case. What I will do is look at whether there is a legal basis for deportation. That is, if the penalty value of the crime for which you are charged is so high that it should lead to deportation, says Hans Ihrman and continues:
– I have assumed that this is a crime that is serious enough to result in deportation. That’s why I’m calling for it. Then courts and other authorities can assess whether there are any obstacles to enforcement now or in the future.
The judgment’s connection to the Swedish NATO application
In connection with the process surrounding the Swedish NATO application, Turkey has demanded that Sweden act more harshly against PKK sympathizers. As a result, several parties have wondered if the verdict came at the same pace as Sweden is waiting for a yes from Turkey to be allowed to join the defense alliance.
Hans Ihrman believes that there is no connection or risk of a politicization of the legal system.
– This is simply a coincidence based on the event that occurred in January. It is the only thing that has been our starting point.
– No, in that case we would have rigged the whole system in January and made a calculation that we would conduct an investigation, bring an indictment and that a verdict would come today. And that is obviously a completely absurd thought. There is no political connection at all in any respect.
The PKK verdict is being appealed
The defense lawyer for a 40-year-old Turkish man has stated to TV4 Nyheterna that the verdict will be appealed. Something that prosecutor Hans Ihrman has no views on.
– I will analyze the judgment and think about whether there is anything I can comment on. Then I will take note of a possible appeal and respond to it, he says.