Sweden is confronting a profound crisis within its elderly care system, following a devastating investigation that uncovered hundreds of reported rapes against vulnerable older women, many allegedly committed by migrant care workers. The scandal has triggered national outrage and promises from the government to enact the toughest deportation legislation in Scandinavia.
A Pattern of Horrific Assaults on the Vulnerable
An investigation by the newspaper Expressen has documented a staggering 398 reported rapes against women over the age of 60 in Sweden from 2021 to the present. The details of individual cases paint a harrowing picture of betrayal and violence inflicted upon those in need of care and protection.
In one of the most shocking incidents from October, a 100-year-old woman in Stockholm was raped by a home care worker, Shakir Mahmoud Shakir, 38, after she called for an ambulance complaining of chest pain. The Iraqi citizen suggested applying an ointment before assaulting her with an object. The victim's protests were ignored during the ten-minute attack. Despite being sentenced to four years in prison, the Södertörn District Court ruled against deporting him, citing his strong ties to Sweden, including a daughter who is a Swedish citizen.
Other cases include the rape of a woman with Alzheimer's by nursing assistant Melsh Keleta, 34, in a care home shower in Eskilstuna in autumn 2023. An Eritrean citizen, he was not deported due to his refugee status. In February, Ali Hassan Zada, 40, raped a woman in her 80s with dementia at a nursing home in Årjäng. He had received Swedish citizenship just over a month prior to the assault.
Political Outrage and Promises of Legislative Change
The revelations have provoked fierce condemnation from Sweden's political leadership. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed outrage that violent criminals are being protected from deportation due to their established ties to the country.
"If you're not a Swedish citizen and commit such horrific acts, you've forfeited your right to be in Sweden," he stated on social media platform X. "Next year, Sweden will have the toughest legislation in all of Scandinavia when it comes to deporting foreign citizens who commit serious crimes."
Migration Minister Johan Forssell blamed the previous Social Democratic government, claiming it allowed Sweden to become a "haven for convicted criminals." He announced proposals to increase criminal deportations sixfold and ensure that victim safety outweighs a perpetrator's connection to Sweden.
Systemic Failures in Care and Hiring
The crisis has exposed deep flaws in safeguarding and hiring practices within municipal care services. In several instances, perpetrators with known disciplinary issues or criminal records were allowed to continue working.
Henrik Vinge, deputy leader of the Sweden Democrats, highlighted that many care services "don't even check criminal records when hiring." He pointed to the case of Shakir, who had previous convictions for forgery and drugged driving, yet was employed in home care and even drove care vehicles, likely without a valid license.
The government now plans to give municipalities the right to require criminal record checks for care service employment. This forms part of a broader policy shift, as Sweden's coalition government, supported by the Sweden Democrats, continues to tighten immigration rules. In 2024, Sweden granted a record-low 6,250 residence permits to asylum seekers and relatives, a 42% drop since the government took power.
With public trust shaken, the Swedish government is under immense pressure to deliver on its promise of safety and justice, ensuring that its most vulnerable citizens are protected from those entrusted with their care.
