The 17-year-old was kidnapped on June 29 in central Uppsala after agreeing to meet a 20-year-old woman for a date, according to the indictment. On site, he was instead forced into a white van by several people and taken away. He was then held captive in two different apartments in Uppsala until July 4.
During his captivity, he was subjected to assault and threats – punches and kicks as well as knife violence – and his relatives received films of the boy with demands for large sums of money to be paid. If they did not pay, they threatened to harm or kill the boy, according to the indictment.
The 20-year-old who allegedly lured the boy to the location where he was kidnapped was arrested even before the 17-year-old was released. After he was freed, several of the other individuals were arrested shortly thereafter. A number of them have, according to UNT, previously been convicted of, among other things, weapons and narcotics offenses.
The seven defendants are between 20 and 35 years old and are suspected of, among other things, kidnapping and attempted aggravated extortion.
"With the help of the 17-year-old boy's information, the locations where he was held captive could be found and DNA and fingerprints secured. Analysis of camera material has also been crucial in investigating what happened," says prosecutor Andreas Nyberg in a comment.
Deportation is requested for two of the defendants. All suspects deny the crimes.
