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There were 18 witnesses, no one shows up
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A convicted murderer attacks a man in a crowded restaurant.
But no one claims to have seen anything.
– It is clearly very regrettable, says Karl-Erik Espoo, Deputy Chief Prosecutor in Gothenburg.
On February 22, 2019, an assault occurred at a restaurant in northern Gothenburg. At least judging from the surveillance footage.
Many were in the room, but no one wants to testify, about what GP previously reported.
The police called 18 people as witnesses. Two say they arrived at the restaurant after the incident.
This is the response of five different people who were in the room:
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“I concentrated on the food.”
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“I was sitting so I couldn’t see.”
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“A group of people arrived who were arguing but I didn’t see anything.”
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“I only heard noise and commotion.”
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“This is not something I want to comment on.”
Convicted of murder in 2008
The reason for the abuse should be an economic conflict. The 33-year-old accused is from a family that reportedly controls Gothenburg’s criminal environment. Among other things, Aftonbladet has written about “the family that controls an entire suburb.”
The 33-year-old had previously been sentenced to ten years in prison for a murder committed in 2008. The victim had stabbed the 33-year-old’s younger brother.
Before the assault trial, no witnesses from the restaurant have been called.
– It’s unfortunate, of course it is. I have not handled the case, but if you watch this movie, it seems obvious that some people must have seen something in each case, says Karl-Erik Espoo, deputy chief prosecutor at the Gothenburg Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Do you think the case led to prosecution if you didn’t have the surveillance footage?
– Probably not. If it is a situation where, word for word, one of the parties is not backed by anything, it is usually very difficult to get a conviction.
Do you see a trend, or a growing problem, that people don’t want or dare to testify?
– Yes, I think you can see some increase. Not as dramatic as you sometimes think, there has always been the problem that some people feel very eager to go to court and tell what they have seen. But it is very disturbing.
What is the cause of this trend?
– Yes, it is very difficult for me to say. But sadly, we have seen an increase in cases of aggravated violence, shootings, murders and attempted murders. I think, along with the current debate, it affects people. Even those who have not actually faced crime are affected and possibly feel that it is more dangerous than testifying, says Karl-Erik Espoo, deputy chief prosecutor at the Gothenburg Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Suspected of threatening the police
There is still a widespread perception in society that citizens who have witnessed a crime have a duty to help, says the deputy attorney general. He also says that the police are good at catching and supporting witnesses and plaintiffs in serious cases.
– It is work that could possibly be extended to more cases, and perhaps intensified. I think that’s very important, says Karl-Erik Espoo.
In addition to the assault, the 33-year-old is being investigated for threatening a policeman on another occasion, which was filmed by the police force camera.
The trial for these cases is scheduled to take place in December, says the 33-year-old’s lawyer, not saying how the man reacts to the suspicions.
– May I refer to the preliminary investigation report. Other than that, I really have nothing to comment on, says lawyer Payam Hatami.
In both investigations, the 33-year-old denies the crime.
This is how the Ali Khan family rules an entire suburb
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