A convicted rapist who is HIV positive is the subject of a Europe wide manhunt following his escape from a psychiatric ward in eastern Sweden. Although the man has been missing for two weeks, Swedish police only contacted European authorities to extend the search last night. The man is not himself Swedish, leading to speculation that he may be trying to return home, although it is not clear where that is.
“We don’t think he’s dangerous, but of course we can’t guarantee it,” Bengt Eriksson, deputy director of the clinic in which the man was being treated, told The Local. “It’s important to add that he had been here for almost ten years without a problem – that’s a longer sentence than he would have gotten if he were sent to prison.”
The man was convicted nine years ago of aggravated rape. It is not known how he managed to escape the secure facility, although according to Eriksson an investigation into the incident is taking place.
“We will not be changing our guidelines, this is a very unusual occurrence,” he said. “Something simply went wrong and it’s very unfortunate.”
The man’s carers do not think he poses a threat to the public, and have said that he is aware of his medical condition and what it means.
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