Kim Eriksson wants mercy, or is sent to Thailand

The imprisoned Swede appeals in a letter to the government

Of: Jamshid Jamshidi

Published: January 16, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
Updated: January 16, 2021 at 5:12 p.m.

Kim Eriksson Sirawan feels unfairly treated by Sweden, which refuses to shorten the sentence.

Now he goes to the government and asks for mercy.

If he can’t, he wants it sent back to Thailand.

The Thai police anti-drug bust in the summer of 2010 led to Kim Eriksson Sirawan, 39, of Sundsvall, being arrested and sentenced to death.

The reason was that he ran a drug lab in a garage on the outskirts of Bangkok.

The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, something that after a pardon managed to obtain a fixed sentence of 36 years and eight months.

For nearly eight years he sat in infamous horror institutions such as Bambat Phiset, Klong Prem, and Bang Kwang.

Bang Kwang Prison, better known as Bangkok Hilton

In the end, he was approved to move to Sweden and serve the remainder of his sentence in a Swedish prison. Related to that, the Thai sentence was commuted to 18 years in prison.

But the Swedish Prison and Probation Service decided to combine the sentence with a previous Swedish prison sentence of three years and three months. That he later imposed a sentence of a total of 21 years and three months.

For a year and a half, Kim Eriksson Sirawan fought against the Swedish authorities with the aim of being released earlier.

But in autumn, the Supreme Administrative Court, which is the last instance, decided that the sentence should not be shortened, but that an old sentence can be combined with a new one.

“Cruel and inhuman treatment”

Now Eriksson Sirawan puts his hope in the government.

Together with his lawyer Harri Keränen, he has written a request for clemency.

– Ultimately, it is about considering the punishment he received here, it means that he has been treated unfairly. Then use this opportunity to receive grace. It has very good arguments, I can say. There are examples in history where the Swedes in Thailand have been given mercy, and that’s what he is referring to, says Harri Keränen.

First, Eriksson asks Sirawan for mercy or amnesty. In the letter, he argues that:

• Under Swedish law, you cannot receive a sentence of more than 18 years and the current length of your sentence “is contrary to Swedish principles based on humanity, proportionality, predictability and equal treatment”.

• He was subjected to “cruel and inhumane treatment” for eight years in Thai prisons, for which “he had already been severely punished.” He describes it as “nightmare-like conditions” that he still suffers mentally.

• he behaved “exemplary” throughout his prison term and “is well placed to readjust in society and build a relationship with his daughter.”

In the application, it also addresses cases from 1994 and 2002 in which the government granted clemency to Swedes who were sentenced to “significantly more serious crimes” in Thailand.

In addition, it is backed by the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

– It is based on the situation of his daughter, who was not allowed to meet him, says Harri Keränen.

Finally, Eriksson Sirawan also describes the psychological tension that he believes has been affected by the strict restrictions of the Swedish Prison and Probation Service linked to the coronavirus. Among other things, he has not been allowed visitors or permission, which has been difficult for him and his daughter.

– In principle he has sat with all the restrictions and therefore he should also receive amnesty on that basis, says his lawyer.

Less prison time in Thailand

In the letter, Kim Eriksson Sirawan also writes that if he is not granted pardon or amnesty, he will be sent back to Thai jails.

– It’s a secondary statement. In this situation, it is the case that Sweden has an agreement with Thailand. That deal says Sweden’s sanction should not be longer than Thailand’s sanction, says Harri Keränen.

The King of Thailand has granted the Swede amnesties and reduced penalties on several occasions.

– Now we have ended up in a situation where the penalty in Thailand has become shorter than that in Sweden. It is an extremely unusual situation, it has probably never happened before. Therefore, Sweden should respect the agreement and by grace or amnesty reduce the total penalty.

– If it is the case that they do not grant it, Kim’s wish is that it be returned to Thailand so that the rest can serve there.

Why are there shorter sentences there?

– Yes, just like that.

The Justice Ministry will now consider Kim Eriksson Sirawan’s request for clemency.

Published: January 16, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

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