Man in northern Sweden suspected of selling sex with wife to 120 men

Summary, then the details

Swedish prosecutors said they are preparing to charge a man in his 60s with aggravated procurement in a case they describe as involving the exploitation of his wife and the sale of sex with her to many buyers, after the woman reported alleged abuse to police.

Prosecutor Ida Annerstedt told The Associated Press on Monday that prosecutors now estimate the number of men involved to be at least 120. Annerstedt said the husband had been in custody since October, when the woman reported the incidents to police, and investigators have been preparing the case for criminal charges.

Prosecutors said they spoke publicly about the case’s scope for the first time on Monday, and that they have not identified the couple. Annerstedt said the husband has denied any wrongdoing.

Annerstedt declined to discuss, in public, questions about the specific circumstances prosecutors may argue drove the buyers and the alleged exploitation—such as whether the wife faced coercion or whether she was drugged during the sex. She also declined to comment on those details ahead of the charging process.

Swedish law criminalizes buying sex and procuring it, but it does not criminalize the selling of sex by sex workers. Under that framework, sex sellers are treated as exploited victims rather than as offenders. The AP reported that if the husband is convicted of aggravated procuring, he could face a prison sentence of two to 10 years.

Alongside the case against the husband, prosecutors said they have charged two men they believe purchased sex with the woman and that more suspects likely will be charged. Annerstedt said buyers can face up to a year in prison if convicted, and the purchase of sexual services without physical contact—such as through the internet—is also criminalized in Sweden.

Prosecutors said they intend to bring the indictment against the husband on March 13, with a trial expected to begin soon after.