The Syrian Maksoud Abdulrahman, who was smuggled into Sweden by SVT personality Fredrik Önnevall during the migrant crisis, is once again standing trial in Sweden following a series of previous convictions. This time, he has allegedly threatened staff at a hotel reception and engaged in vandalism among other offenses.

In 2014, three employees from the taxpayer-funded public service broadcaster Sveriges Television, led by foreign correspondent Fredrik Önnevall, undertook a journey where they helped a then 15-year-old disheartened Syrian boy travel from Greece to Sweden. This occurred despite the boy already being in another EU country.

The incident was documented and later broadcast as a report on SVT. After the broadcast, police reports were filed by viewers, leading to the involved employees being charged and subsequently convicted of human smuggling. The initial sentence was community service.

In December 2018, however, the case was reviewed by the Supreme Court, which decided to change the sentence to a conditional discharge combined with day-fines. The convicted individuals kept their jobs at SVT, and the company covered the costs of the fines.

Below are screenshots from the state television’s report with Fredrik Önnevall and the Syrian, who went by the name “Abed” when the smuggling was being discussed:

After being granted residence in Sweden, Abdulrahman was convicted on several occasions. Among other things, he was convicted in 2019 for violating the knife law.

READ MORE: SVT journalist Önnevall’s smuggled Syrian “Abed” convicted for knife crime

A few years later, in 2022, he was convicted again—this time for money laundering and drug offenses connected to a fraud targeting an elderly woman, who was tricked into transferring money via BankID. The court documents at the time indicated that the Syrian required an interpreter in Arabic.

Has Committed Crimes Since Immigration

This weekend, Fria Tider reported that Maksoud Abdulrahman, who is now 27 years old, has again been brought to court. The latest indictment concerns an incident that occurred in October last year at Hotel Stockholm Inn located in Norrmalm.

According to the prosecutor, a conflict arose where Abdulrahman was staying. The dispute was reportedly about a sum of money he believed he was entitled to receive back. When staff rejected his claim, the situation allegedly turned threatening toward the personnel.

Evidence against the man who was brought to Sweden in connection with Fredrik Önnevall’s much-publicized case includes both surveillance footage and witness statements. On one occasion, the man reportedly wore a balaclava and sunglasses while at the reception.

After the incident, hotel staff stated that the situation negatively impacted their work environment and led to increased feelings of insecurity.

Threw Stones

The female receptionist stated in interrogation that the man uttered direct threats inside the reception, which frightened her. Shortly thereafter, the events escalated further.

The Syrian returned to the hotel several times and, on a later occasion, is said to have thrown stones at the hotel’s windows, causing damage amounting to nearly 40,000 kronor.

In addition to the current suspicions of crime, both the hotel and the affected receptionist are seeking damages for property damage and insult.

“I Was Psychotic”

Abdulrahman denies the accusations of threats and vandalism but has stated he was under the influence of drugs at the time. Furthermore, he explains his behavior by claiming he was “psychotic.” He also challenges the evidence, arguing it cannot be established that it is him shown in the video material concerned.

Prosecutor Hedda Brinklert has not requested deportation for the Syrian citizen, despite the man being convicted of crimes year after year and now again being taken to court.

SVT Personality Has No Regrets

In 2017, the French news agency AFP reported from the trial against the human smugglers at Malmö District Court. At that time, SVT personality Fredrik Önnevall stated that the work trip had shifted from journalism to asylum activism.

Samnytt Seeks Önnevall

Samnytt has reached out to Fredrik Önnevall to hear his current view on the smuggling of the Syrian, in light of the man’s repeated prosecutions for crimes in Sweden, and whether he believes the Syrian has now forfeited his right to remain in Sweden as a result of all the crimes.

ALSO READ: SVT’s handling of the Önnevall case unacceptable from start to finish