A Swedish man serving a life sentence for murdering his two children was moved to a women's prison after changing his legal sex. Female inmates and prison staff have since made allegations of misconduct, according to the Swedish newspaper Expressen.
The conviction
In April 2024, Paulus Abdelshahed killed his son and daughter, aged 7 and 8, at the family home in Södertälje by suffocating them with helium. He admitted the killings. In December 2024 the Södertälje District Court sentenced him to life in prison and ordered his deportation after the sentence is served, finding the murders carefully planned and particularly ruthless. The Svea Court of Appeal upheld the sentence in February 2025.
The transfer
Sweden's new law on legal sex took effect on July 1, 2025. After his conviction, Abdelshahed changed his legal sex and his first name, and now calls himself "Lily." In autumn 2025 the Swedish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvården) moved him from Tidaholm, a high-security men's prison, to the women's prison in Ystad, Expressen reports.
The allegations
Expressen reports accounts from six inmates and from staff. Allegations include indecent exposure, including walking around in a short nightgown with his genitals exposed, unwanted touching, and attempts to enter the showers and laundry room while women were present. Some inmates say they avoid shared areas.
Complaints were made to police and to the Parliamentary Ombudsman. A police investigation into sexual molestation was closed for insufficient evidence, Expressen reports. The allegations have not been proven. Abdelshahed did not respond to Expressen's questions.
Ystad prison governor Anders Jansson said the prison generally functions well but that staff lack clear guidelines for some situations.
What the law says
Sweden's prison law says inmates are normally not placed with inmates of the opposite sex, but allows exceptions for special reasons. The prison service bases placement on legal sex. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer says the law was amended so a change of legal sex does not automatically lead to placement in a women's prison.
Political reaction
- Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (Moderates) described the reports as "offensive and outrageous," Expressen reports.
- Teresa Carvalho, justice spokesperson for the Social Democrats, said the situation "goes against common sense."
- Fredrik Kärrholm (Moderates), who leads the government's review of the prison law, has said placement should be based on biological sex, TV4 and Aftonbladet report. The review is due shortly after the new year.
- The Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats have called for repealing the new legal-sex law. Christian Democrat Larry Söder has asked that the prison service be summoned to Parliament's justice committee, Expressen reports.
*Cover photos: prison fence, Johan Nilsson / TT News Agency; photos of Abdelshahed, Swedish Police (via Expressen)*