The children, a boy and a girl, were found lifeless in their home in the residential area Lina Hage on April 23 this year. Both were under ten years old. According to the indictment, the man suffocated them to death with the help of helium.
"This is a deeply tragic event for those involved. My assessment is that the evidence is very strong and is based on a comprehensive and robust investigation of the crime," says prosecutor Ulrika Rosén according to a press release.
The act, according to the indictment, "was preceded by careful planning and was particularly ruthless". The indictment reveals that the man is said to have begun planning the murders over a month before they were committed.
Witness Statements
The evidence consists, among other things, of witness statements from a relative of the children, seizures made in connection with the arrest, information from comprehensive technical evidence and forensic analyses.
My client admits to the crime. He has confessed during the preliminary investigation and through his statements, the actual circumstances have been clarified, says the man's defense attorney Mikael Westerlund.
The man is previously unpunished. A forensic psychiatric examination that has been conducted has shown that he does not suffer from a serious mental disorder. However, the defense has requested that the matter be re-examined by the forensic psychiatric council.
We have some comments on the forensic psychiatric examination that has been submitted and we want it to be re-examined by the forensic psychiatric council. We believe that it may be the case that he has suffered from a depression that was of such a nature that it is to be considered a serious mental disorder.
Depression
Has he given an explanation for why he did this?
We'll take that up at the main hearing, but I think the answers can be found in the depression he has suffered from.
The prosecutor will request that the man be expelled from Sweden.
The trial begins on November 18 and is expected to last for five days.
