The Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) is summoning Iraq's chargé d'affaires to protest against the death sentences in Iraq against three Swedish citizens.
One can impose prison sentences instead, says Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M).
He states that the information about the death sentences is very serious and that the MFA is acting to prevent the sentences from being carried out.
At the government's summer press conference with journalists, Billström confirmed that there are three Swedes who have been sentenced to death for being involved in a fatal shooting in Iraq.
When asked why the MFA is taking such a strong stance and condemning the death sentences against the three men who have been identified as gang criminals, Billström responds:
We always oppose the death penalty, regardless of where it occurs or who it is directed against. It is a matter of principle.
The victim of the shooting has also been identified as a gang criminal.
Serious matters
According to the Foreign Minister, it is "completely irrelevant" whether the men are gang criminals or not.
The death penalty is something we always oppose, in all contexts, says Billström.
One can impose prison sentences instead.
The MFA will now summon Iraq's chargé d'affaires to protest against the death sentences.
These are serious matters that they have been charged with. We do not oppose the legal process, but the penalty. One can be in favor of harsh penalties and still be against the death penalty, says Billström.
Unconfirmed information
When asked whether the government has the ambition to get the condemned men back to Sweden to serve their prison sentences here, Billström initially responds that "we will get back to that".
He adds later, however:
There is no principle that says one must be transferred to Sweden to serve one's prison sentence on Swedish territory. It is also possible to do so in other places.
The Foreign Minister also states that the MFA has unconfirmed information that a fourth Swedish citizen has been sentenced to death, for drug-related crimes.
Sweden's embassy in Baghdad is in contact with local authorities and has had some contact with the detained individuals, as well as with their relatives.
