Rikard Sundén , former guitarist of Sabaton , was convicted in Sweden for sexually abusing an eight-year-old child and possessing child pornography. He will be sentenced to nine months in prison and fined.
According to the website Metal Sucks , the 39-year-old musician was found guilty on one count of sexual abuse and six counts of possession of child pornography. The case documents indicate that the fine to be paid will be 53,000 Swedish kronor, equivalent to more than R$35,000 (Brazilian Real).
The victim is the daughter of close friends of Sundén's family. In February 2020, she was invited to sleep with the musician's daughter, at which time the abuse occurred. The complaint was filed the following month.
During the trial, the convicted man pleaded not guilty to the sexual abuse charge, but his wife testified about the victim's behavioral changes and filed for divorce, as well as custody of the couple's three children.
According to the official case documentation, the child exhibits behavioral changes following the abuse, including difficulty sleeping without parents, insecurity, anxiety, constant headaches, and symptoms of stress.
Sundén recently changed his name to Johan Andersson . He is one of the founding members of Sabaton and was the band's guitarist for 13 years, between 1999 and 2012.
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