• RubberDuck@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    From the link you posted:

    The offenders were tried and convicted in Japanese court by Japanese law, in accordance with the U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement.

    So:

    • not legal
    • Criminals gonna crime
    • Justin@lemmy.jlh.name
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      5 months ago

      The US military protected heinous criminals in their ranks, and refused to hand them over for nearly an entire month. Consider the scale of the crime needed for Sweden to have any legal recourse here. Do you really think Ulf Kristersson is going to risk an international incident over some violent drunk soldier getting into a bar fight? No, that soldier will get arrested, flash his ID, and go home free.

      The NATO SOFA treaty is sufficient for giving soldiers access to military bases, and it’s what every other country in NATO has accepted. The US wants special privileges and exemption from Swedish law, and we just gave it to them.

      • Atomic@sh.itjust.works
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        5 months ago

        The beauty here is that the courts are separate from the government. The government can not in any way shape or form. Influence the courts in who or what they prosecute.

        If they prosecuted a US soldier. There is nothing the Swedish government could do.

        There is no special exemption. A deal was made. It includes no get out of jail free card for soldiers who brake the law.