Police launched an investigation after numerous girls reported being
raped by foreign nationals during two music festivals, according to
police in Sweden.
Police in Norrkoping and Karlstad, said that so far, 49 girls and women have reported rapes and sexual assaults.
The crimes against the women happened over the weekend at the Bravalla
Festival and the Putte i Parken music festival. 5 girls told police that
they were raped while 12 reported being sexually assaulted at the
Bravalla Festival.
In Norrkoping, 32 sexual assaults had been reported at the Putte i
Parken music festival. Girls and women at the festivals said they had
been groped by boys and men.
Most victims were under 18 years old, and three girls were under 15
years old. So far, police have questioned seven suspects, six of them
refugees, whose ages range from under than 18 to 35.
However, no arrests have been made.
The Mumford and Sons group said on Tuesday: “We’re appalled to hear what
happened at the Bravalla Festival last weekend. Festivals are a
celebration of music and people, a place to let go and feel safe doing
so.
“We’re gutted by these hideous reports. We won’t play at this festival
again until we’ve had assurances from the police and organizers that
they’re doing something to combat what appears to be a disgustingly high
rate of reported sexual violence.”