Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Unclear about murder suspect Chinese billionaire

A Chinese billionaire suspected of being behind two murders in Gothenburg in 2003 is reported to have been arrested in China. The information has not yet been confirmed, but according to the prosecutor, the hope is that a new trial can finally be held.

» Updated: 05 October 2024, 21:26

» Published: 22 August 2024

Unclear about murder suspect Chinese billionaire
Photo: Micke Larsson/TT

In March 2003, a 31-year-old woman was found stabbed to death in an apartment in Högsbo, Gothenburg. Just over a month later, her neighbor was found murdered and buried nearby.

The woman's husband, a Chinese businessman, is suspected of having ordered the murders, but despite repeated attempts, he has not been able to be called to the Court of Appeal for trial.

Now, it is reported that he has been detained in China since last year, which SVT Väst first reported on.

We are working to confirm these reports. But information that has come to me from various sources is that he is or has been detained, says prosecutor Ulrika Bentelius Egelrud to TT.

Murder in Thailand?

According to a letter submitted by the plaintiff's assistant Mårten Eklöf to the Court of Appeal, Chinese relatives of the murdered neighbor have provided information that the businessman has been arrested.

He is also suspected of having murdered his then-wife in Thailand in 2013 and, according to the relatives' information, is detained due to "murder in Sweden and Thailand".

I have received information from relatives in China, which has revived this. But it is a complicated situation, so right now I cannot say much more, says Mårten Eklöf.

The man's defender Peter Gillberg has no own information about the alleged arrest.

Not at present. I have taken part in the information from the plaintiff's assistant. But it is a matter that the court will have to investigate further, as it appears to be unconfirmed information, he says.

Trial was retried

The 31-year-old woman and her husband were in the process of divorce at the time of the murders in 2003.

The husband was convicted much later, in 2016, to life imprisonment for instigating the murder of his wife, while being acquitted of the same crime when it came to the neighbor.

However, the trial had to be retried later the same year because a lay judge was deemed biased, and the man was then fully acquitted.

Since then, several attempts to hold a trial in the next instance, the Court of Appeal for Western Sweden, have failed.

The hope is now to finally be able to hold a new trial about the murders in Högsbo, which the businessman is still suspected of having ordered.

I hope we can get a trial in the Court of Appeal. That is our goal, says prosecutor Ulrika Bentelius Egelrud.

March 19, 2003: A 31-year-old woman is found murdered in a neighbor's apartment in the Högsbo district of Gothenburg. The same day, her husband is taken in for questioning.

April 25, 2003: The husband, who had been detained for a while, is released and leaves Sweden.

April 30, 2003: The neighbor, who was initially suspected of the murder, is found murdered and buried.

June 7, 2005: The husband is arrested in absentia and becomes internationally wanted.

December 2, 2014: The man is arrested in connection with a trip to London and is taken to Gothenburg.

May 4, 2016: The husband is sentenced to life imprisonment for instigating the murder of his wife, but is acquitted of instigating the murder of the neighbor. Later, it is decided that the case in Gothenburg District Court must be retried, as a lay judge tweeted about the case during the ongoing trial.

September 9, 2016: The man is fully acquitted in the new verdict from Gothenburg District Court. Prosecutor Ulrika Bentelius Egelrud has appealed, but the trial in the Court of Appeal for Western Sweden has not yet been able to be held despite several attempts.

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

More news

Criminal got job as social worker
1 MIN READ

Criminal got job as social worker

Woman dies after being hit by a car in Västerås
1 MIN READ

Woman dies after being hit by a car in Västerås

Voluntary for Municipalities to Employ Doctors
1 MIN READ

Voluntary for Municipalities to Employ Doctors

In Malmö, we commemorate Kristallnacht
1 MIN READ

In Malmö, we commemorate Kristallnacht

The gap is increasing – more women than men continue to study
1 MIN READ

The gap is increasing – more women than men continue to study

Man Shot at in Kista – Escaped Unharmed
1 MIN READ

Man Shot at in Kista – Escaped Unharmed

The Government is Reported for Lack of Climate Plan
1 MIN READ

The Government is Reported for Lack of Climate Plan

"Almost Certain"
2 MIN READ

"Almost Certain"

Stefan Löfven: This is how you talk to Trump
2 MIN READ

Stefan Löfven: This is how you talk to Trump

Expert: Trump's victory "a slap in the face"
3 MIN READ

Expert: Trump's victory "a slap in the face"

Extradited after suspected boat murder
1 MIN READ

Extradited after suspected boat murder

Attacked girls with a knife – deported
1 MIN READ

Attacked girls with a knife – deported

"Copycab" Company Convicted of Trademark Infringement
1 MIN READ

"Copycab" Company Convicted of Trademark Infringement

Fear of Swedish Inflation after Trump's Election
4 MIN READ

Fear of Swedish Inflation after Trump's Election

Ica expands recall of falukorv
1 MIN READ

Ica expands recall of falukorv

Prison sentence for 16-year-old murderer to be tried in the Supreme Court
2 MIN READ

Prison sentence for 16-year-old murderer to be tried in the Supreme Court

Two police officers hospitalized after collision in Boden
1 MIN READ

Two police officers hospitalized after collision in Boden

S Leader: Establish Good Relations with Trump
1 MIN READ

S Leader: Establish Good Relations with Trump

Train Driver Attacked by Passenger
1 MIN READ

Train Driver Attacked by Passenger

Fell in love with an opponent – politician resigns
1 MIN READ

Fell in love with an opponent – politician resigns