Knutby sect member in child assault probe

The Local (Sweden), /October 3, 2006
By James Savage

A member of the Knutby religious sect has been arrested on allegations that he assaulted children.

The man was detained on Sunday, and prosecutors are expected to decide on Tuesday whether he will be charged or released, local newspaper Uppsala Nya Tidning has reported.

Prosecutor Ingrid Isgren told the paper that the case involved children under the age of five.

"While of course I take all child abuse seriously, in this case it has not required medical attention or any other form of treatment," she said.

The Knutby sect, which became notorious after pastor Helge Fossmo was convicted of killing his wife, has been the subject of a long-running police investigation into allegations of child assault.