Guidance

Information pack for British nationals arrested or detained in Sweden

Updated 17 September 2024

Chapter 1: Key points

Overview

If you are a British national, and are arrested or detained in another country, consular staff will do what they can to help you. However, we cannot interfere with the local justice system, get you out of jail, or pay for services such as a lawyer. Information about who we can help, including the circumstances in which we can assist dual nationals, is available at: Support for British nationals abroad.

This information pack aims to give you, and your family and friends, information about the local system in Sweden and who can help. Consular staff can provide a printed copy to those in prison or in custody. We welcome feedback to help us improve the information we can provide to others.

Contacting us

If you are arrested or detained in another country:

• the authorities should ask whether you want them to contact the British embassy, high commission or consulate (and must do so if you want them to)
• if they do not ask, you can make the request yourself. You should do this if you are charged with a serious offence or need any kind of assistance
• friends or family can also contact the local British embassy, high commission or consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000

In some countries, the authorities might notify the British embassy, high commission or consulate even if you do not want anyone to know that you have been arrested. This is because there may be an agreement in place with the British government which requires a mandatory notification to be made.

Who we are

Consular staff work in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK, and in British embassies, high commissions and consulates overseas.

The British Embassy in Sweden is located in Stockholm at the following address: Skarpögatan 6-8, 115 93 Stockholm

You can also contact us by phone 24/7 for help or advice from anywhere in the world by calling the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

What we can do

The FCDO can offer you impartial and non-judgemental help. When we are notified of your arrest or detention, we will aim to contact you as soon as possible, so that we can assess how we can help you. We then aim to provide assistance according to your individual circumstances and local conditions. Our priority is to provide assistance to those British nationals overseas that need our help the most.

In Sweden, notification by the authorities to the consulate normally takes place within 24 hours, but sometimes it takes longer.

Once we are notified, we aim to contact you as soon as possible.

We can also:

• provide a list of local English-speaking lawyers and interpreters
• provide general information about the country, detention conditions, and the local legal system (including if legal aid is available)
• provide general information about the local prison or remand system, including visiting arrangements, mail and censorship, privileges, and welfare services
• keep in regular contact with you, either by visiting or by telephone/letter. The frequency of contact will depend on local conditions and your personal circumstances
• tell the police or prison doctor, with your permission, about any medical or dental problems including medication
• put you, or your family, in touch with a prisoners’ welfare charity called Prisoners Abroad
• in some circumstances we may be able to help take up complaints with the police or prison authorities about ill treatment, personal safety, or discrimination, if you are not treated in line with internationally recognised standards
• in some circumstances we may be able to help you apply for a transfer to a prison in the UK

What we cannot do

• get you out of prison or detention
• help you get special treatment because you are British
• offer legal advice, start legal proceedings or investigate a crime
• pay for any costs because you have been arrested
• forward you packages sent by friends or family
• prevent authorities from deporting you after release

First steps

Informing family members

If you want us to, we can tell your family or friends that you have been detained and provide them with information about how to contact you. With your consent, we can also keep them updated on your wellbeing.

If you are not sure about informing your family, we can help you consider what the impact of not doing so might be. For example, it may cause them distress if they do not know where you are, or cannot contact you. It can also be a disadvantage to you if you need someone to act on your behalf while you are detained.

Informing the UK police

If you are accused of certain serious offences, such as sexual assault or drugs trafficking, we are obliged to share information about your arrest with UK police. Information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer. There may be other circumstances when information about you may need to be shared with authorities in Sweden.

Legal assistance: lawyers

We cannot give legal advice, start legal proceedings, or investigate a crime. However, we can provide information about the local legal system, including whether a legal aid scheme is available. We can also give you a list of local interpreters and a list of local English-speaking lawyers. You should consider the benefits of local legal representation and discuss all the costs beforehand with the legal representative. We cannot pay your legal or interpretation costs in any circumstance.

Consular assistance: fair treatment

We cannot get you out of prison or detention, or get you special treatment because you are British. If you are not treated in line with internationally accepted standards, we will consider whether to approach the local authorities. This may include if your trial does not follow internationally recognised standards or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases.

Other organisations that can provide assistance

We can put you, or your family, in touch with Prisoners Abroad, a UK charity which supports British citizens detained overseas and their families.

Chapter 2: Detention conditions in Sweden

Visits: friends and family

Who can visit and how to arrange visits or phone calls

Restrictions

A prisoner who is in detention on suspicion of a crime may be subjected to curtailments of his or her contact with the outside world if a risk exists that he or she will remove evidence or otherwise impede the investigation of the matter at issue. This is called restrictions. Being on restrictions means that you might not be able to:

• receive or send letters without them first being inspected by the prosecutor
• receive visits without special permission from the prosecutor
• receive or make phone calls without special permission from the prosecutor
• watch TV, listen to the radio and read newspapers
• interact with other inmates

You might have restrictions in all or some of the above areas, but you can still contact your lawyer and a member of consular staff from the British Embassy.

Consular staff are able to pass on urgent messages or updates to your family on your welfare. However, the British Embassy does not have capacity to act as a regular informal channel of communication between you and your family.

No restrictions

If you have no restrictions you may make telephone calls to specific people after the prosecutor and the prison authorities have given their consent.

Security checks will be carried out on those you wish to call. You will have to put in a request for a telephone permit, and forms will be sent to the person you wish to call. He/she then gives his/her consent by completing the forms and returning them to the prison authorities. The prosecutor will then decide to grant or deny the application. The person you wish to call may be requested to supply a landline phone bill and a certificate from the UK police giving details of any criminal record. Prison staff can tell you how to buy a phone card and how to apply for a phone permit.

Arranging the visit

Each prison or remand prison have set visiting times and visits will need to be pre booked by phone. Contact numbers for the prisons are listed on https://www.kriminalvarden.se/kontakt/hitta-till-oss/.

Each prisoner will undergo an individual evaluation, taking in to account their circumstances and the current situation at the prison/remand prison. The number of visits/frequency of visits will also be determined at the evaluation.

What to expect when you visit

Visitors need to bring their photo ID to the visit and they will undergo an airport style search with a metal detector before the visit. Shoes and any metal items have to be removed. Detection dogs may be used if necessary.

You can ask for refreshments during the visit, this is free of charge. The door will be locked during the visit, but you can call for the staff at any time by pressing a button.

What you can take on your visit

You should ask in advance what you can bring to the visits. Money, food and drink is not allowed.

Visits: consular staff

We will visit you if you want. We can visit once after the arrest, and once after sentencing. Staffing or distance might make it difficult for us to visit as soon as you would like.

You can write to us at any time on matters that concern you to:

Brittiska ambassaden
Box 278 19
115 93 Stockholm

If it is urgent it may be quicker to ask prison authorities to contact us on your behalf.

Police custody and initial arrival at the remand prison

Arriving at the police station: your basic rights

During the time you are under arrest the prosecutor may decide that you will not be allowed to contact friends and family. However, you are allowed to request to see a doctor or to call the British Embassy.

You are also entitled to contact your lawyer and to meet him or her without anyone else being present. You do not have to pay for calls to your embassy or your lawyer.

You will normally be held in a police cell during the period of arrest and until your remand hearing.

During the time you are under arrest you will be questioned by the police. One or more police officers may carry out the questioning. If necessary, you are entitled to have an interpreter present. The police will pay the interpreter’s costs.

You may wait until you have a lawyer present before answering questions. The prosecutor or police will decide who else is entitled to be present at questioning.

Appearing at court

You will appear at court (häktesförhandling) within 96 hours of being arrested.

Initial arrival at the prison

If the prosecutor decides at the remand hearing that you will have to stay on remand, you will be taken to a remand prison (häkte).

The staff will ask you questions about your mental health status, your family and social situation so that the staff can provide you with the support you need.

You will be appointed a contact person at the remand prison who will inform you about the daily routines and your rights and obligations during your detention.

Shortly after your arrival you will meet with a nurse. It’s important that you inform them of any health issues, injuries or medication.

Personal belongings

The detention centre will store your personal belongings during your stay. You and a member of staff will sign a list of the belongings to be stored when you first arrive.

More information about the Swedish judicial system can be found in Chapter 3.

Prison: conditions and daily life

Prison conditions are generally good in Sweden. The following information refers to a remand prison:

Accommodation

Sentenced prisoners and those on remand are held in separate facilities. Sentenced prisoners often find that prisons are of higher standard than remand prisons.

Persons on remand are suspected (but not sentenced) of having committed a crime. He/she is not yet sentenced and should be considered as innocent until proven guilty. They will be held on remand in a remand prison (häkte)

Prisoners might have to share cells with another inmate during busy periods. Cells are approximately 10 square meters, and most have a private toilet. Bedlinen and towels are provided.

Food and diet

Cooked meals are served every day. If you are a vegetarian, allergic or unable to eat certain foods due to religious beliefs you have the right to ask for food that you can eat. You can drink the tap water in Sweden.

Hygiene

You will receive bedclothes, towels and hygiene products. The detention centre’s staff can also offer you clothes and shoes. Laundry is to be changed regularly. You are responsible for keeping your room in order.

Work and study

You might be able to work while on remand. What kind of work you can do depends on whether you are allowed contact with other prisoners, and whether you are on restrictions.

Sentenced prisoners have the possibility to study while in prison.

Contact and languages

The prison guards usually speak good English.

Contact with other inmates will be allowed unless the Prosecutor has decided otherwise (restrictions). You are allowed to listen to the radio, watch TV and read daily newspapers at the detention centre unless the prosecutor has decided otherwise. You can buy newspapers at the kiosk and borrow books from the book trolley or the library.

You can request local language materials through the post from Prisoners Abroad (including language textbooks and dictionaries).

Exercise

You have the right to spend time in the detention centre’s exercise yard for at least one hour every day if there are no special reasons against you doing so

Climate

In central and southern Sweden the winters are short and quite cold, and summer temperatures are similar to those in southern England.

In the north the winters are severe, while the summers can be surprisingly warm.

Religion

Approximately 170 priests, pastors, deacons and imams work for the Swedish Prison authorities around Sweden. They are able to facilitate religious services and can visit you in detention.

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

Prison rules and regulations are explained to prisoners when they arrive.

You must supply a sample for drug testing if the staff suspects that you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A “positive” drug test, as well as refusal to take a drug test, may result in your release date being postponed.

Prison: access to help and services

Receiving money

You are not allowed to receive money from anyone including family and friends while you are detained or serving a prison sentence in Sweden.

You might be eligible for a detention centre allowance (häktesbidrag) of a maximum of 100 SEK per week. Prisoners who work or study can earn 13 SEK per hour. Prisoners on remand can also earn 11 SEK per hour

The UK government does not provide financial assistance to prisoners.

Medical and dental treatment

While you are detained, Sweden is responsible for ensuring your basic medical needs are met. All prisons have a medical centre, and the staff can help you contact a nurse or a doctor. Healthcare is free of charge in prison.

Prisoners will have to pay for dental treatment, unless it is a genuine emergency.

You are not allowed to keep medication in your cell, a nurse will bring it to you.

With your permission, we can make sure that any medical or dental problems you might have are brought to the attention of any police or prison doctor. We can also contact your GP in the UK, if the police or prison doctor requests previous medical records.

Letters and parcels

You can send as many letters as you like. Stamps can be bought from the prison kiosk.

If you are on restrictions any letters you send will (with your consent) be forwarded to the prosecutor who will decide whether the letter may be sent or not. Any letters sent to you will be dealt with in the same way. If you are not on restrictions, sealed letters will only be opened if they appear suspicious.

It is permitted to receive parcels. The sender is advised to contact the prison before they send the parcel, to ask which items are permitted.

Family and friends who would like to write a letter to a person in prison can use the following address:

Kriminalvården
Journalarkivet
601 80 Norrköping
Sweden

The letter will be forwarded to the relevant prison. If you know the name of the prison, write this on the envelope:

• prisoner’s name (and personal number or prison number if you have it)
• the name of the prison
• the address of the prison

Telephone calls

Prisoners are not allowed to have their own phone and can only use a prison phone to call, and only to numbers pre-approved by the prison management. Phone cards can be bought from the prison kiosk.

Making a complaint about mistreatment

If you have been mistreated, you should inform consular staff as soon as it is safe for you to do so. We will then do our best to visit you, to check on your welfare, discuss the allegations, and explain any local complaints procedures and supportive organisations that you may wish to consider. With your permission, and where appropriate, we will consider approaching the local authorities if you have not been treated in line with internationally-accepted standards. If you have been mistreated, try to see a doctor, obtain a medical report and if possible take photos of your injuries.

You can also complain directly to JO-the Parliamentary Ombudsmen if you feel that you have been treated wrongly or unjustly by a public authority.

The contact details are:

The Parliamentary Ombudsmen (Riksdagens Ombudsmän) - JO
Box 16327
SE-103 26 Stockholm
Telephone: +46 8 786 51 00
Text phone: +46 20 600 600

E-mail: justitieombudsmannen@jo.se

Website: www.jo.se

Chapter 3: The Swedish judicial system

Overview

The judicial system in Sweden is similar to that seen in the UK. A key difference is that as a non permanent resident you will be held in detention during the investigation into your case and court case. There is no option of bail.

The FCDO cannot interfere with the judicial system. We cannot ask for your case to be judged more quickly just because you are British, or ask the authorities to waive any penalties.

First steps

What should happen after you are arrested?

If you’re arrested, you’ll usually be taken to a police station, held in custody in a cell and then questioned. The police can hold you for 96 hours before they release or remand you on suspicion of having committed a crime. Being on remand means that you are suspected of having committed a crime, but you are not convicted, and should according to law be considered innocent until proven guilty.

The British Embassy should automatically be informed of your arrest.

The following is a general description of the sequence of events in Sweden from detention to imprisonment;

1. You are apprehended (gripen) by the police. The prosecutor then decides whether or not to make an arrest.
2. The police will ask you if you want legal representation. You have the right to a public defence counsel. (state appointed lawyer)
3. You can be under arrest for a maximum of four days. ( 96 hours )
4. You will appear before a judge within 96 hours of being arrested (anhållen).
5. After that hearing, you will either be released or a court will decide to remand you in custody. (häktad). The court will decide to remand you in custody if they have reasonable suspicion (the lower degree of suspicion) or probable cause (the higher degree of suspicion)
6. If you are remanded the prosecutor has up to 14 days to present his case to the judge. The 14 days can be prolonged indefinitely and the court’s remand decision must be reconsidered every 14 days.
7. During your stay in remand prison, you will be questioned by the police and prosecutor who will conduct a preliminary investigation into the crime(s) you are suspected of. The prosecutor will often lead the preliminary investigation and the investigation will be handled by the police.
8. When the preliminary investigation is complete, the prosecutor will decide whether to file a prosecution (väcka åtal) or not. If prosecution is commenced, there will be a trial, also called a main hearing, in the court and the case is heard. The court in this instance is the District Court. (Tingsrätten)
9. The judge and the lay judges will decide in the main hearing whether you are guilty or not. The length of the sentence is also decided upon.
10. Sometimes the judgement is not pronounced (domen meddelas) at the trial, but at a later date instead. The presiding judge will then inform you of the date and time when this will take place.
11. Once the sentence has been announced if you accept the sentence (nöjdar sig) it now comes into effect (vinner laga kraft)
12. If you are not satisfied with the judgement, you can appeal (överklaga) to the court of appeal (hovrätten). The judgement will contain information about when this must be done at the latest. Your lawyer should help you with this. If the prosecutor also appeals there is a risk that the sentence is increased.
13. The outcome of the appeal is announced and the sentence comes into effect (straffet verkställs)
14. You now begin to serve your sentence and would normally serve two thirds of it subject to good behaviour.
15. If you are found not guilty, you might be entitled to compensation. Please see www.jk.se (Chancellor of Justice) for further information.

If you have any questions on the legal aspects of your arrest, contact your lawyer. See our list of local English-speaking lawyers.

How long you can be remanded in custody

There is no limit as to how long you are allowed to remain on remand. If you are remanded the prosecutor has up to 14 days to present his/her case to the judge. If the investigation is not complete within 14 days, the prosecutor can apply for an extension of a further 14 days – this process can be repeated indefinitely. In other words there is no pre-set “maximum time” you can stay on remand and this can vary from case to case.

Prisoners on remand and sentenced prisoners: differences

Sentenced prisoners and those on remand are held in separate facilities. Sentenced prisoners often find that prisons are of higher standard than remand prisons.

Persons on remand are suspected (but not sentenced) of having committed a crime. He/she should be considered as innocent until proven guilty. They will be held on remand in a remand prison (häkte)

After you are charged

Being charged is a term used in the UK and doesn’t directly translate into Swedish.

In Sweden, when the police apprehends someone who is suspected of committing a crime, a report is submitted to the prosecutor. The prosecutor may then decide that the police should interview the suspect. Once this interview has been completed, the prosecutor decides whether the individual should be arrested (anhållen) or released from custody.

Having arrested a suspect, the prosecutor must submit an application for a remand order to the court no later than 12 o’clock on the third day after the arrest decision. From the time the suspect is apprehended, the court has 96 hours to hold a remand hearing.

If the prosecutor does not apply for a remand order before the stated deadline, the suspect must be released from custody.

The process explained in detail: https://www.aklagare.se/en/from-crime-to-sentence/

Three grounds for remanding a suspect

Under normal circumstances, a decision to remand someone requires that there is probable cause to suspect the individual of an offence that carries a penalty of at least one year’s imprisonment. The prosecutor may decide to detain someone if there is a risk that the person will:

• flee or otherwise evade legal proceedings or punishment
• impede the investigation by, for example, removing evidence or in another way or
• continue the criminal activity

If there is a reasonable risk that the suspect, having been apprehended, arrested and remanded in custody, will impede the inquiry by contacting the victims of crime or witnesses, it is possible for the prosecutor to impose restrictions on the suspect’s contacts with the outside world while they are on remand.

Bail

It is not possible to be released on bail in Sweden.

Trial and legal assistance

Legal assistance: lawyers and legal aid

You have the right to a court–appointed lawyer.

If you dissatisfied with your appointed lawyer, you can request a new one to the courts (prison staff can help you with the request). A change of lawyer is not granted automatically, so you need a good reason.

If a change of lawyer representation is granted the State pays for the representation in most cases. If the court does not grant a change you can always hire a lawyer privately at your own cost.

If you wish to hire a private lawyer, see for a list of English-speaking lawyers. Prisoners Abroad can also supply information on legal aid, court proceedings and can advise on appointing a lawyer.

Trial

The judge and the lay judges will decide in the main hearing whether you are guilty or not, and the length of the sentence.

Sometimes the verdict is announced at the trial, but the sentence at a later date. The presiding judge will then inform you of the date and time when this will take place.

If necessary you have the right to an interpreter free of charge at the main hearing.

Sentences

Once the sentence has been announced, you will be asked to accept the sentence. If you do not accept it, your lawyer can help you appeal the verdict.

Appeals

If you are not satisfied with the verdict, your lawyer can help you appeal to the court of appeal (hovrätten). The verdict will contain information about when this must be done at the latest. If the prosecutor also appeals there is a risk that the sentence is increased.

If you are found not guilty, you might be entitled to compensation. Please see the website of Justitiekanslern (www.jk.se) for further information.

Reaching the end of your sentence

Early release

You would normally serve two thirds of the sentence subject to good behaviour. This is called parole (villkorlig frigivning) and only applies to sentences longer than one month.

Clemency or pardon

Under the Instrument of Government, one of Sweden’s fundamental laws, the Government may, by exercising clemency, pardon a person or reduce their sentence. Clemency is for use in exceptional situations. It is for the Government to decide whether or not to grant clemency in each individual case. Clemency is therefore not a right.

Clemency can only apply to a criminal judgment that has become final and non-appealable. Foreign judgments can also fall within the scope of clemency if the enforcement of the sentence has been transferred to Sweden.

Financial penalties

Fines may be levied in different amounts and ways dependent upon the nature and seriousness of the offence. The most common form of fine is “day fines” – a certain amount per day multiplied by a certain number of days.

Fines may also be set at a certain sum dependent on the offender’s financial status. In certain cases, fines can be imposed together with another penalty, e.g. conditional sentence or probation.

If the offender does not pay the fines, the court may under certain circumstances transform the fine into a prison sentence of not more than three months.

Transfer to another prison within Sweden

Which prison you are sent to depend on for example which type of security level is required and if there is a treatment plan in place. The prison authorities can impose transfers between prisons in Sweden for security or other reasons. This is the policy of the Swedish authorities, and the Embassy cannot intervene on your behalf.

Prisoners may (if there are specific reasons such as medical/safety issues) apply to the prison for a transfer to a different prison. It is the Head office of the Prison authorities that takes the final decision about the transfer.

Transfer to a prison in the UK

There is a Prisoner Transfer Agreement between the UK and Sweden. The staff at the prison can help you submit a request for a transfer.

To transfer to the UK, you must:

• be a British citizen or have close family ties with the UK (normally through permanent residence in the UK)
• not be awaiting trial
• have exhausted all appeals against your conviction and/or the length of your sentence; or have waived your right to an appeal
• have at least 6 months of your sentence left to serve when you apply for transfer
• have no outstanding fines or other non-custodial penalties

The offence you were convicted for must also be a criminal offence in the part of the UK you wish to be transferred to: England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

The authorities in the sentencing country may refuse your request. Even if the sentencing country agrees to your transfer, the UK authorities may also refuse your request. Reasons for this might include if you have not lived in the UK for a number of years and you have no close family living there.

Release and deportation

Release: the institution will determine the day on which you are released. Usually it is early in the morning. If you are unable to arrange any clothing yourself, the institution must help you with clothes suitable for the time of year, and in some circumstances a release allowance and possibly money for the journey home.

Deportation: if deportation is part of your sentence, the most common procedure is that you are transferred from the prison, sometimes via a temporary remand centre, to the airport by the Prison and Probation Service Transport Company. You will be escorted by them until you reach the airport in your home country.

Sometimes people find that they face difficulties adjusting to life in the UK once they have left prison. You may find yourself ready for life on the outside but not prepared for living in the UK. You may not have lived in the UK before and have no connections there, or perhaps you have lost touch with friends and family. You may want to talk to another person who understands what you have been through, to help you consider what to do next.

If you are registered with Prisoners Abroad, you can visit Prisoners Abroad when you first arrive back in UK for advice, to take a shower, use their temporary luggage store, make essential phone calls or use a computer. If you have no belongings Prisoners Abroad may be able to help with basic toiletries and finding suitable clothing. If you know your release date in advance you should tell your consular caseworker when you are likely to arrive and what help you think you might need. If you have no money and nowhere to go, Prisoners Abroad’s Aftercare Service can help with:

• advice on finding emergency accommodation in the London area
• claiming welfare benefits, including emergency benefit payments if you are destitute
• making appointments with doctors and dentists
• putting you in touch with local agencies if you are not returning to the London area

Later on you may want advice on housing, looking for work, applying for training or getting counselling. Prisoners Abroad can refer you to the right agency.

Other sources of practical help back in the UK are:

The Salvation Army

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7367 4500

The Prison Fellowship

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7799 2500

Your criminal record in the UK

We will not normally pass on information about your case to a third party without your consent. However, if you’re arrested for certain serious offences, such as child sex abuse or drugs crimes, our staff must tell other relevant UK authorities. It is possible that information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer.

Chapter 4: Additional information

Additional Information

Prisoners Abroad

Since 1978 the charity Prisoners Abroad has offered practical support and advice to British citizens imprisoned abroad. It is the only UK charity providing this service. It is available to all, whether guilty or innocent, convicted or awaiting charge or trial. Prisoners Abroad supports your health and welfare during your imprisonment. It can also provide support on your return to the UK, through their resettlement service (if you have registered whilst in prison). They can also provide support and advice to your family when you are in prison. To access any services, you must first register with Prisoners Abroad by signing and returning their authorisation form.

Once you seek help from Prisoners Abroad, the Prisoner & Family Support Service will be your point of contact for advice and information. The type of assistance they can offer varies from country to country, but generally they can provide you with information, in English, on:

• your rights as a prisoner
• issues that may affect you such as health or transfer to the UK
• getting magazines, newspapers, books and the regular Prisoners Abroad newsletter
• learning the language of your country of imprisonment
• translating documents
• grants for food if you are in a developing country and do not have funds from other sources
• grants for essential medicines and toiletries if you do not have funds from other sources
• preparing for release
• help for your loved ones, including information, family support groups and, in a few cases, assistance with the cost of visiting

Prisoners Abroad

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7561 6820 or 0808 172 0098

9.30am to 1pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and

9.30am to 4.30pm on Tuesday and Thursday

89 – 93 Fonthill Road
London
N4 3JH
UK

Glossary of terms

Useful legal terms

Key phrases – English into Swedish

English	Swedish
administrative court of appeal	kammarätt
appeal, complaint	Klagan, överklaga
arrested	anhållen
attempted offence	försök till-
become final, gain legal effect	vinna laga kraft
breach/ violation of the law	lagbrott
care	vård
case	mål
charge, prosecution	åtal
come in to force, take effect	träda i kraft
conviction	fällande dom
court	domstol
court of appeal	hovrätt
courtroom	rättsal
custody, detention centre	häkte
deed, criminal act	gärning
defence	försvar
defendant	tilltalade
deport	utvisa
detained/remanded	häktad
evict	avvisa
find not guilty	frikänna
guilty	skyldig
hearing, trial	rättegång
injured person/party	målsägande
interpreter	tolk
judge	domare
lawyer	advokat
lay judge	nämndemän
prosecutor	åklagare
minor offence	ringa-
misdemeanour	lindrigare
offender, perpetrator	gärningsman
official	tjänsteman
parole/conditional discharge/release on probation	villkorlig dom
pay a fine	böta
plead guilty/confess	erkänna
police interrogation	polisförhör
police investigation	polisförhör
prison	anstalt, fängelse
probation	skyddstillsyn
released	frigiven/försatt på fri fot
remand hearing	häktningsförhandling
sentence, sanction	brottspåföljd, dom
serious crime	grovt -
summons, subpoena	kallelse (till domstol), stämning
suspect	misstänkt
suspected on good grounds	skäligen misstänkt
suspended sentence	villkorlig dom
verdict	jurys avgörande
witness	vittne

Annex

FCDO guidance: Support for British nationals abroad

FCDO guidance: Arrested abroad: advice for British nationals

FCDO guidance: Instruction for money transfer through the FCDO

List of English-Speaking Lawyers

Translators/Interpreters

Prisoners Abroad Forms