Convicted 16 Times, Never Deported - Now Charged Over Samurai Sword Attack

RONNEBY - A 32-year-old man with 16 criminal convictions in Sweden has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after allegedly attacking three men with a samurai sword next to a children's playground. Despite his long record, he has never been deported. Prosecutors now want him expelled for life.

It began around 5.30 pm on 28 May, when a woman called the emergency line to report that a man was harassing her and her family in the Hjorthöjden housing area of Ronneby, southern Sweden.

Some men had pulled him away from the scene. Since the situation no longer seemed urgent, police did not go out.

Two hours later, another call came in. This time it was serious. The caller said the same man had come back - armed.

"Come to Hjorthöjden! In Ronneby! He went and got knives! Please, we need help! Call the police!"

During the call, she said her father-in-law had just been cut, and that the family knew who the attacker was: Valentino Zlatar, 32, who has roots in the former Yugoslavia.

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Zlatar fled, but he matched the description and was wearing an electronic ankle tag from an earlier prison sentence. Police arrested him within a short time.

In a search of his home, officers found cash, a machete, an air pistol, black clothing and mobile phones. At his girlfriend's flat they found several Rolex watches and a large samurai sword.

"I'm going to kill you"

According to witness statements, Zlatar first left after three men led him away. He then returned with the sword, shouting "I'm going to kill you."

"Four of us were sitting having coffee when suddenly a screaming man - Valentino - came at us with a big machete in his left hand," one of the men told police.

Prosecutors say he first swung at one man's head and stomach. The man shielded himself with his arm and was struck three times.

A second man rushed in to help and was struck on the arm as Zlatar allegedly aimed for his head. A third man was hit in the hand. Then the blade snapped, and part of it was left at the scene.

Claims he was the victim

Zlatar firmly denies attempted murder. He told police that his ankle tag allowed him outside between 5 and 7 pm, and that he was running to fetch his phone from his car.

He claims four men - including the three he is now charged with trying to kill - jumped him and beat him on the head, arms and body.

He says he does not remember holding anything. Perhaps, he suggested, there was a sword lying on the ground that he picked up and swung to make them stop.

16 convictions - still in Sweden

Since arriving in Sweden, Zlatar has been convicted of 16 crimes, including assault, weapons offences and drug offences. He has also racked up eleven fines for traffic violations.

His most recent sentence, in March 2025, was a year in prison for a drug offence. Earlier convictions include assault, unlawful threats, unlawful coercion and repeated breaches of Sweden's knife laws.

He has never been granted Swedish citizenship. Even so, no court has ever ordered him deported.

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Prosecutor wants him expelled

Prosecutor Lena-Marie Bergström has charged Zlatar with three counts of attempted murder. She alleges he tried to kill the first man with several blows to the head and body, the second with a blow to the head while he lay on the ground, and the third with a blow to the head or body.

Because he is not a Swedish citizen, she is asking the court to deport him with a lifetime ban on returning if he is convicted.

Zlatar denies the charges.