It was on the third of November 2020 that 25-year-old Ziad was shot to death with several shots at the university in Borås. A 22-year-old man is charged with murder despite his denial.
The 22-year-old suspect did not want to talk during the interrogation. But he is said to have told his cell neighbor, with whom he was detained, that it was he, together with another person, who allegedly shot Ziad. Something that the cell neighbor then told – to the police.
Crown witness can become the prosecutor’s trump card
It is an unusual trial that starts on Thursday. It is one of the first trials in Sweden where a Crown witness is used. That is, a person who, by testifying, can receive a lighter sentence for his own crimes.
But there are major risks with the new Crown witness system. Anna Kaldal, professor of procedural law at Stockholm University, thinks so.
Risk of being exposed to reprisals
– On the one hand, this is a way to get at gang crime, on the other hand, this system can breed further crime, she says.
She says that the person who comes forward and testifies risks being subjected to reprisals.
– If you encourage people to give evidence, who are perhaps for good reason afraid to testify, then it can mean great risks for them.
The Prosecutor’s Office in Borås confirms to SVT Nyheter Väst that it is a so-called crown witness. However, prosecutor Andreas Ekengren does not want to comment on the case before the trial is over
Hear Anna Kaldal tell more in the clip above.