An Egyptian citizen serving a life sentence in Sweden for the murder of his two young children was transferred to a women's prison after legally changing his registered gender to female, sparking controversy following accusations of sexual harassment, indecent exposure and intimidation by female inmates.
Paulus Said Fokai Abdelshahad murdered his seven-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son in their home in Sodertalia in April 2024 by placing bags over their heads and pumping helium into them. He then confessed and was sentenced in December 2024 to life imprisonment and deportation.
Following Sweden's new law on gender recognition, which came into force in July 2025, Abdelshahad changed his registered gender and adopted the name Lily. The authorities then transferred the prisoner from the high security men's prison in Tiddholm to the women's prison in Bisted. Female inmates accused Abdelshahad of exposing his male genitalia, entering communal areas while women are present and making unwanted sexual advances. One of the former prisoners described the situation as a "horror scenario".
Their complaints were dismissed as transphobic.