Documents obtained by SVT Nyheter show that a rape complaint was made after the French soccer star’s visit to Sweden. So far, according to information to SVT Nyheter, the suspicion is reasonable, the lower degree of suspicion.
Mbappé’s lawyer tells French TF1 that “A report does not mean that it is the truth” and Mbappé himself has written on X: “Fake news”.
– It reasonably means that he denies the crime, but we do not know what he is basing his claim on. His story will be significant for the investigation, says Sven-Erik Alhem about a possible first interrogation.
Back in Madrid
Mbappé is in Madrid for training with the Real Madrid club, which is preparing for a league match in Spain on Saturday. According to Pernilla Dahlrot-Cabouillet, a lawyer at a French-Swedish law firm in Paris, it is still too early to say if or when Mbappé will be called for questioning and where or how it will be held if so.
– If he is called, we do not yet know on what grounds. It may be that more evidence comes to light that raises the level of suspicion, but also that the investigation is closed, she says and points out that prosecutors have not yet confirmed that Mbappé is the suspect.
The fact that Mbappé is an EU citizen means that the conditions for investigation through European cooperation are good, notes Sven-Erik Alhem. Since rape is a crime punishable by at least three years in prison, prosecutors can issue a European Arrest Warrant. Before that, however, the person must be in custody in their absence, and reasonably suspected, the higher degree of suspicion.
Extremely attentive
In Spain, where Mbappé plays, the allegations have not been widely reported, and Real Madrid have not commented. In France it is different.
– It is extremely noticeable because it is about a world star, says Pernilla Dahlrot-Cabouillet.
– My phone has never been so hot. All major media and newspapers have called and asked about what reasonable suspicion means and how the legal system works in Sweden.
Swedish journalist Jennifer Paterson, based in Paris, also states that the news was on all news sites and TV channels.
– This is really the topic of the day, we’ll see how long it continues, she says in Aktuellt.