Swedish Prosecutor Opens Rape Investigation
On Tuesday, a Swedish prosecutor announced the initiation of a rape investigation, without naming Kylian Mbappé. This development follows media reports suggesting that the Real Madrid and French star is the suspect after visiting Stockholm with friends.
Media Reports Confirm Mbappé as Suspect
Multiple Swedish outlets, including Aftonbladet, Expressen, and public broadcaster SVT, reported that the 25-year-old Mbappé is at the center of the investigation. These reports stem from his two-day trip to the Swedish capital last week. In response, the Prosecution Authority confirmed that a criminal report had been filed regarding a suspected rape incident.
Details of the Allegation
The alleged crime reportedly took place on October 10 at the upscale Bank Hotel in central Stockholm. While the prosecutor did not disclose the suspect’s identity, documents reviewed by AFP indicated that both the plaintiff’s and suspect’s names were redacted. According to Expressen, Mbappé is “reasonably suspected” of rape and sexual assault, which represents the lower tier of suspicion in Swedish law. Notably, the higher tier, known as “probable cause,” is typically necessary for pre-charge detention.
Legal Representation and Response
In the midst of the investigation, lawyer Petra Lund, who represents the plaintiff, declined to provide further comments at this stage. Meanwhile, Mbappé’s representatives stated they were unaware of any legal complaint against him.
Timeline of Events
To understand the context, it’s important to note that the French international was not selected for the latest Nations League matches. This allowed him to visit Stockholm with friends last Wednesday. Reports suggest they dined at a restaurant before going to a nightclub and subsequently left Sweden on Friday. The complaint was reportedly filed on Saturday, after the alleged victim sought medical assistance.
Evidence Seized by Police
In a related development, Expressen reported that police had seized items as evidence, including women’s underwear and a pair of black trousers. Photographs captured police officers leaving the Bank Hotel with brown bags containing this evidence, indicating the seriousness of the investigation.
Mbappé’s Reaction
In response to the situation, Mbappé took to social media on Monday to express skepticism about the timing of the reports. He suggested a connection to an upcoming hearing regarding his financial dispute with former club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He labeled the reports as “FAKE NEWS” and remarked on the predictability of such allegations surfacing before critical events.
Next Steps
Following the hearing, sources close to PSG indicated that a decision from the league would be forthcoming on October 25. Mbappé’s team has since stated that the allegations are “completely false and irresponsible.” They have vowed to take all necessary legal action to clarify the situation and restore the truth.
