Wanted by Swedish police for exploitation, woman now sues berry pickers in Thailand
Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Swedish police are investigating a woman internationally wanted for alleged gross exploitation of berry pickers.
- The woman, who is a central figure in the berry industry, is accused of subjecting over a hundred Thai berry pickers to slave-like conditions, including minimal pay and excessive working hours.
- DN journalists found the woman in Thailand, where she is suing the berry pickers who had reported her for unpaid wages, despite the ongoing Swedish investigation.
Dagens Nyheter has been investigating the exploitative conditions faced by Thai berry pickers in Sweden for years. Our recent findings reveal a disturbing turn of events: the very woman accused of orchestrating these slave-like conditions is now suing her alleged victims in Thailand. This highlights a frustrating pattern where those who have suffered exploitation are forced to defend themselves, even as the Swedish legal system appears to struggle with bringing the accused to justice.
Despite a significant investigation launched by Swedish police and prosecutors, involving travel to Thailand for interviews, the case has lost momentum. Resources have dwindled, and crucial evidence, such as translated interviews, remains unprocessed. This lack of progress is deeply concerning, especially given the history of scandals in the berry industry. The Swedish justice system's handling of this case has been described as "embarrassing" by legal representatives for the berry pickers.
It feels like I have been suffocated for so long. My side of the story has not come out at all. I have really wanted to talk.
The accused woman, who was previously arrested and questioned in Sweden but released and left the country, now claims her side of the story has been suppressed. She has granted interviews to DN, expressing a desire to speak out. However, the situation remains complex, with the alleged victims facing legal action in Thailand while the Swedish investigation falters. This case underscores the challenges in ensuring justice for vulnerable migrant workers and the potential for perpetrators to evade accountability.
It is so incredibly embarrassing for the Swedish police and prosecutors. I have never experienced anything like it. One travels to Thailand and then the police basically refuse to work.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
