Former Swedish police chief given 6.5 years in prison for rape and sex crimes

Swedish ex-police chief convicted of sex crimes

STOCKHOLM — A former Swedish police chief known for his lectures on gender equality and sexual harassment was convicted on Friday of rape and other sex crimes and sent to prison.

In a case that shocked this Nordic nation, the court found Goran Lindberg, 64, guilty of “sadistic, sexual violence” for tying one of his victims to a bed before raping her.

The Sodertorn District Court convicted Lindberg of more than a dozen sex offenses, including aggravated rape and buying sexual favors. He was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison and ordered to pay 300,000 kronor ($41,000) in damages to three of the victims.

The former police commissioner has denied all charges, except a few cases of buying sex.

Lindberg was police chief in the Swedish city of Uppsala from 1997 to 2006. He also headed Sweden’s national police academy. As a police commissioner he traveled around Sweden and lectured, often in uniform, to companies and organizations.

Swedish Justice Minister Beatrice Ask has expressed shock over the case, which shook the country’s police force.