Anyone who has custody of a child who has been taken abroad can apply for repatriation through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In a case where the children are taken into care, such as the one with the girls from Älmhult, social services can make the application.

- In countries where the Hague Convention applies, there is both a common regulatory framework to work from and a natural partner, writes the Foreign Ministry's press service to SVT.

Can complicate

Then the foreign authorities can search for the child who has been abducted from Sweden – and take the case to the country's court. Why Älmhult municipality has not sought help from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this case – the municipality does not want to answer.

And the Ministry for Foreign Affairs only responds generally to SVT's questions.

Is there any reason not to make an application if a child has been abducted?

"All cases look different and there may be several reasons why people do not choose to turn to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In some cases, a parent left behind may, for example, have the hope that a voluntary return can be achieved and are afraid that in that case it would be more difficult if an application for return was initiated, writes the authority's press service to SVT.

If there are suspicions of marriage or other forms of family-related coercion, there may also be a concern that contact with authorities risks putting the victim in greater danger.

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The family has no plans whatsoever to return to Sweden and is waiting for the detained father to be released. Photo: SVT Design /

CLIP: The children were taken abroad – the municipality did not get help from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs