Eight people were arrested when police raided a beauty salon in Uppsala on Sunday over a suspected case of female genital mutilation. According to Aftonbladet, the girl who was about to be subjected to the procedure was under five years old, according to Svenska Dagbladet.
One man has been detained on probable cause on suspicion of aggravated assault, the Swedish Prosecution Authority said. Seven of those arrested were later released, though suspicions against them remain. "The investigation is ongoing with interviews and technical examinations. The detained man will be questioned in the presence of a public defence lawyer," prosecutor Emma Haals said in a press release on Monday.
Police had kept the address under surveillance for some time, according to several media. Aftonbladet reported that one of those arrested was caught in the act with surgical instruments in his hand, and photographs from the arrest show a man in doctor's clothing. The operation took place in the Sala backe district of Uppsala.
"What I can say is that we have taken certain investigative measures. I will not be able to go into very much detail," police press spokesperson Stefan Larsson said on Sunday.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson spoke of "terrible reports of suspected genital mutilation in Uppsala over the weekend" and noted that the government had criminalised virginity checks, virginity certificates and virginity procedures. "Those who subject girls and women to this kind of bestial abuse should not get away. The perpetrators must be prosecuted and locked up," he said in a written comment to Aftonbladet.
Gender equality minister Nina Larsson (L) said: "Completely disgusting. It is pure darkness that little girls still risk being subjected to this kind of abuse. Social Democrat justice spokesperson Teresa Carvalho said no tradition, religion or honour can excuse "this barbarism". Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch wrote on X that such abuse must meet the full force of society.