Three men sentenced to prison in “Facebook rape” case

A court in Uppsala, Sweden, sentenced three men to prison for their involvement in a rape that was broadcast live on Facebook from an apartment in Uppsala, Swedish public television broadcaster SVT News reported on Tuesday. (Photo: Eduardo Woo/ Flickr)

STOCKHOLM–A court in Uppsala, Sweden, sentenced three men to prison for their involvement in a rape that was broadcast live on Facebook from an apartment in Uppsala, Swedish public television broadcaster SVT News reported on Tuesday.

The court gave the 21-year-old man two years four months for rape and abetting rape. An 18-year-old was given one year for rape. A 24-year-old was sentenced to prison for six months for serious slander and failing to report the rape.

Uppsala District Court determined that the woman was in a particularly vulnerable situation.

“She was so influenced by alcohol and drugs that she could not protect herself, and in a way the defendants must have understood. Despite this, two of them had sex with her,” said Judge Nils Palbrant.

According to the men, the woman consented to sex. But that doesn’t matter, according to the judge, SVT News reported.

“The law says that if you are in a compromising situation like that, it is not possible to give consent,” Judge Palbrant said.

The three convicted men pleaded not guilty. Stefan Wallin, who represented the 21-year-old, was surprised by the verdict.

“I think it is wrong and should be appealed. There was no proof that he committed a rape or that he abetted a rape. I have not spoken with my client but I am sure he will appeal,” Wallin said.

The prosecutor Pontus Melander, on the other hand, thinks the sentences are too short.

“I have a hard time viewing this as the lowest form of rape that one can commit in Sweden, which is what this sentencing suggests. The District Court deemed differently. Now I am going to read through the ruling carefully and determine whether I will appeal,” Melander said.