Swedish horse farm owner cleared of exploitation charges

A Swedish court cleared a horse farm owner of human exploitation charges involving three teenage boys. The Ystad District Court instead convicted the owner for violations of the Aliens Act.

The court determined the boys worked at the farm in southern Sweden. Their labor was not voluntary, according to court documents.

Judges found the teenagers had limited choices while living at the property. They were in a difficult situation, but the court ruled the violations did not reach the level of human exploitation.

Since the boys worked without proper permits, the farm owner received a conditional sentence. The penalty includes 60 day-fines for breaking Swedish immigration employment laws.

This case highlights Sweden's strict approach to unauthorized employment of foreigners. The legal system distinguishes between labor violations and criminal exploitation, even when workers face difficult circumstances.

Swedish courts consistently enforce the Aliens Act, which regulates foreign nationals' employment rights. The law aims to prevent undocumented work while protecting vulnerable individuals.