Prison for Nesser: "The Final Blow"

The author Håkan Nesser was sentenced by the Svea Court of Appeal to 1.5 years' imprisonment for three cases of aggravated tax fraud. Now, the Supreme Court announces that he will not be granted a retrial. The prison sentence thus remains in place.

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Prison for Nesser: "The Final Blow"
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

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Håkan Nesser received the message during a trip to South Africa to celebrate his 75th birthday.

The final blow has probably come now, he says to TT.

He maintains his innocence and describes the verdict as incomprehensible.

I don't feel sorry for myself, but it's a completely crazy verdict and it's crazy that the Supreme Court doesn't take it up. What has happened is that our advisor has messed up.

"Run over"

Nesser was acquitted in the district court, but the prosecutor appealed to the court of appeal, where he was convicted. Now he doesn't know what will happen. He will consult with his lawyer.

I have animals, who will take care of them? I know nothing. It feels like you want to refuse, you can't let injustice have its way and just say yes and amen. It feels more like you want to make some kind of protest when you're now run over by a train that I think I am.

In a text message, he writes that he refuses to go to prison for a crime "I didn't commit".

The author had appealed the court of appeal's verdict together with another person who was convicted in the case, and requested that the Supreme Court take up the case and acquit them. The Supreme Court has, however, not found any reason to grant a leave to appeal, the court writes in its decision.

Should have realized

Nesser and the other person were convicted in the court of appeal for together having taken out nearly 15 million kronor from a company in Malta without reporting the dividends to the Tax Authority. They admit to having provided incorrect information to the Tax Authority, but claim that it was not intentional and that they therefore should not be convicted of tax fraud.

Nesser has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has described it as an unintentional mistake by his advisor. The court of appeal, however, considered that he should have realized that there was a high risk that the information was incorrect and that he was indifferent to it. He was therefore considered to have had reckless intent.

Håkan Nesser, 74, made his debut as an author in 1988 and has written 48 books that have sold around 20 million copies worldwide.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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