Swedish authorities have shut down a Stockholm hotel following repeated prostitution incidents. Police say the establishment hosted sex trafficking activities for an extended period.
Numerous men faced prosecution for purchasing sexual services at the location. Officials previously warned the hotel management about these illegal operations.
The prostitution continued despite police interventions. Authorities then issued a complete ban on the hotel's business operations.
Swedish law permits police to stop hotel activities that threaten public order and safety. The hotel also received a 5 million kronor fine, approximately $480,000.
This marks the first time Swedish police have closed a hotel specifically for sex trafficking problems. The case demonstrates Sweden's strict approach to combating sexual exploitation.
Sweden criminalized purchasing sexual services in 1999 while decriminalizing selling sex. This legal framework aims to reduce demand for prostitution by targeting buyers rather than sex workers.
The hotel closure represents an escalation in enforcement tactics. Authorities typically focus on individual prosecutions rather than business shutdowns for such offenses.