It is very unusual that it even leads to prosecution in cases involving human trafficking in the workplace, says Linda Erhorn, regional coordinator against human trafficking at the border police unit in the South region.
It is unique. The verdict will be a guide to what is required for a conviction.
Extra vulnerable
The man will be sentenced to two years and ten months in prison. He will also have to pay just over 900,000 kronor in damages.
The three Polish men were lured to Sweden with promises of jobs and free accommodation. But according to Malmö District Court, it is clear that the 35-year-old never intended to fulfil the promises.
They had to live in an unheated attic, where the temperature in winter was sometimes below ten degrees. Pots and plates had to be washed in the sink or shower, and there was also a problem with mice.
The court believes that one of the men was particularly vulnerable. In Poland, he had been living as a homeless person, and when he arrived at the farm in Skåne his ID was immediately taken away. He had no mobile phone and was kept isolated on the farm.
Ate dog food
He received no pay for the work he did on the farm and was periodically so hungry that he ate dog food and apples from the garden. He was also subjected to violence by the man who is now being sentenced.
In his case, the court rules it is human trafficking.
The other two were taken to various construction sites where they worked long hours, sometimes exposing them to health risks when handling asbestos. They were paid 25 to 30 percent of what had been promised. They were also stripped of their IDs after a while. The district court considers their case to be a case of human exploitation.
