Wednesday night's meeting came after Arvika's municipal board on Tuesday decided to apologize to the family for what they had to endure during the investigation of five-year-old Kevin Hjalmarsson's death just over 20 years ago when the brothers Christian Karlsson and Robin Dahlén were wrongly singled out as murderers.
- Today's meeting was very important for all parties.
For our part, it was important to listen to how the municipality reasoned about the apology, says Annika Karlsson.
Annika Karlsson and the rest of the family around her sons reacted strongly after the municipal board was told on Tuesday to apologize - but not admit that the social services committed any errors in connection with the investigation.
After today's meeting, however, the municipality's apology was accepted.
- The conversation that was between us resulted in a consensus, we have shared feelings, shared experiences and experiences.
We have gained insight into each other's wholes and respect each other, says Annika Karlsson.
Arvika's municipal councilor Peter Söderström (S) agrees that today's meeting was something extra.
- It was a great meeting.
We talked for a long time in one of the better conversations I had.
It was necessary that we sat down together to resolve this, says Peter Söderström (S).
The family now accepts Arvika municipality's apology and puts the dispute and any claims for damages aside.
- It has never been about money.
Everyone in the family has what it takes to feel good.
It is peace of mind we want and there is no money in the world that can give and peace of mind we have now, says Annika Karlsson.
But today's meeting is not the last between the family and the municipality.
- We will see each other again and talk about what we can do to make society better.
Their experiences are a good base to build on, says Peter Söderström (S).