Pilot burned to death in cage - Swedish terrorist suspect arrested

The Swedish IS-terrorrist Osama Krayem is detained by the Stockholm District Court for involvement in the execution of a Jordanian pilot who was burned to death in Syria. Krayem is now to be requested extradited from France where he is serving a sentence for terrorist crimes.

» Published: January 21 2025

Pilot burned to death in cage - Swedish terrorist suspect arrested
Photo: Nasser Nasser/AP/TT

32-year-old Osama Krayem is already sentenced to 30 years and life imprisonment for involvement in IS terrorist attacks in Paris 2015 and Brussels 2016.

The new suspicions of grave war crimes and terrorist offenses for which he was arrested in his absence on Tuesday concern events in Syria, where a plane belonging to the Jordanian air force was shot down on Christmas Eve 2014.

Burned to death

The pilot, First Lieutenant Mu’adh al-Kasasiba, was captured the same day by the Islamic State outside Raqqa. He was later locked in a metal cage and burned to death. The event was filmed and spread widely in IS propaganda.

Osama Krayem was, according to Swedish prosecutors, present at the scene and participated in the execution, "together and in agreement" with others. The crime period is set from Christmas Eve to February 3, 2015.

Belgian media have previously reported that the Swede admitted to being present, but said it was not he who lit the fire.

During Tuesday's arrest hearing in the Stockholm District Court, Krayem's lawyer Petra Eklund stated that he denies the suspicions of grave war crimes and terrorist offenses.

We contest the request for detention, said Eklund in court.

The 32-year-old was still arrested by the Stockholm District Court, on probable cause suspected of grave war crimes and terrorist offenses.

Gag order

The court also decided on a gag order for the parties, which is why neither the prosecutor nor the lawyer wanted to comment further on the case after the arrest hearing.

Krayem is currently serving his prison sentence in France and will now be requested to be extradited to Sweden. If the Swede is prosecuted, he will be the first person to be brought to trial for the murder of the pilot.

Osama Krayem has already been sentenced to long prison terms in both France and Belgium for terrorist offenses. In July 2023, he was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Belgian court for, among other things, terrorist murder for his role in the terrorist attacks in Brussels 2016.

32 people were killed when Islamist suicide bombers carried out attacks on Zaventem Airport and the Maelbeek metro station on March 22, 2016.

In 2022, Krayem was also sentenced to 30 years in prison for involvement in the terrorist attacks in Paris 2015. He was prosecuted for providing the attackers with weapons and logistical support.

The terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015 are the worst in the country's history during peacetime. 130 people were murdered in several attacks, including outside the football stadium Stade de France and in the concert venue Bataclan.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes
1 MIN READ

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes Catch Fire at Swedish Hospital

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices
4 MIN READ

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices Soar: 200 Kronor Gift Cards Run Out

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance
3 MIN READ

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance Powers on Minors in Sweden

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at
1 MIN READ

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at Rare Solar Eclipse with Welding Masks

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected to Be Released Soon in Turkey

Police Struggle to Keep Up
3 MIN READ

Police Struggle to Keep Up as Online Radicalization Surges

Witness the Partial Solar Eclipse
3 MIN READ

Witness the Partial Solar Eclipse on March 29: How to Safely Watch

Body Discovered After Gislaved Apartment
1 MIN READ

Body Discovered After Gislaved Apartment Fire; Police Investigate

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested in Turkey Without Charge Details

Teen Convicted in Skärholmen Tunnel
1 MIN READ

Teen Convicted in Skärholmen Tunnel Murder Appeals 14-Year Sentence

Key Figures Depart Following Millennium
1 MIN READ

Key Figures Depart Following Millennium System Halt in Västra Götaland

Teen Arrested After Man Shot
1 MIN READ

Teen Arrested After Man Shot in Gothenburg Residential Area

Two Arrested After Gunfire Hits
1 MIN READ

Two Arrested After Gunfire Hits Apartments in Arlöv Near Malmö

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Five Hospitalized Following Serious Car Crash Near Surahammar

Sweden Sets Clocks Forward for
1 MIN READ

Sweden Sets Clocks Forward for Summertime Transition

Man in His 70s Dies
1 MIN READ

Man in His 70s Dies in Drowning Accident in Jämtland

Facebook Revives Friend Feed to
1 MIN READ

Facebook Revives Friend Feed to Reconnect Users

Sweden Redirects 158 Million Kronor
1 MIN READ

Sweden Redirects 158 Million Kronor Aid to Myanmar Earthquake Relief

Fegen Residents Advised to Boil
1 MIN READ

Fegen Residents Advised to Boil Water Due to Waterworks Issue

Swedish Journalist's Arrest in Turkey
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist's Arrest in Turkey Sparks Global Outcry

EU License Changes May Impact
4 MIN READ

EU License Changes May Impact Swedish A-Tractor Rules for Teens

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Detained
3 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Detained in Turkey

Sixth Suspect Linked to December
1 MIN READ

Sixth Suspect Linked to December Murder in Växjö

Swedish Foreign Minister Deeply Moved
1 MIN READ

Swedish Foreign Minister Deeply Moved by Southeast Asia Earthquake

Man in Custody After Shooting
1 MIN READ

Man in Custody After Shooting at Police in Karlshamn

25 Charged in Sweden for
2 MIN READ

25 Charged in Sweden for Defrauding Elderly of Millions

Swedish Court to Decide on
2 MIN READ

Swedish Court to Decide on Alleged Birth Intervention Without Consent

18-Year-Old Faces Charges for Nine
1 MIN READ

18-Year-Old Faces Charges for Nine Attempted Murders in Malmö

Person Dies After Falling from
1 MIN READ

Person Dies After Falling from Ship Near Göteborg

Kristersson Faces New Inquiry Over
1 MIN READ

Kristersson Faces New Inquiry Over Alleged Political Bias in Government

Students Call for Better Sex
1 MIN READ

Students Call for Better Sex and Consent Education in Swedish Schools

Police and Prison Uniforms Illegally
1 MIN READ

Police and Prison Uniforms Illegally Sold on Sellpy, Investigation Reveals

Molotov Cocktail Attack on Uddevalla
1 MIN READ

Molotov Cocktail Attack on Uddevalla Mosque Sparks Arson Investigation

Sis CEO Responds to Criticism:
2 MIN READ

Sis CEO Responds to Criticism: Report Key to Improving Child Care

Man Sentenced to 10 Years
1 MIN READ

Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Stabbing Girlfriend in Västerås

Report Highlights Failures in Sweden's
3 MIN READ

Report Highlights Failures in Sweden's Treatment of Detained Children

Sweden's National Parks Struggle with
5 MIN READ

Sweden's National Parks Struggle with Maintenance and Accessibility

Explosion Rocks Malmö Apartment Building
1 MIN READ

Explosion Rocks Malmö Apartment Building Stairwell Overnight

Cutting Public Service Now is
1 MIN READ

Cutting Public Service Now is Irresponsible Say Swedish Social Democrats

Swedish Police Criticized for Dropping
1 MIN READ

Swedish Police Criticized for Dropping Fraud Case Without Action