Easy Money

PART 2

MINUTES

Oral proceedings in the Stockholm District Court

Case number T 3245-06

COURT

Honorable District Court Judge Patrick Renback

KEEPER OF THE MINUTES

District Court Clerk Oskar Havermark

PARTIES

PLAINTIFF

Annika Sjoberg, 690217-1543

Grondalsvagen 172

117 69 STOCKHOLM

Present in person

REPRESENTATION UNDER THE LEGAL AID ACT

Goran Insulander, Esq.

Box 11244

112 21 STOCKHOLM

Present

DEFENDANT

Mrado Slovovic, 670203-9115

Katarina Bangata 35

116 39 STOCKHOLM

Present in person

REPRESENTATION

Martin Thomasson, Esq.

Box 5467

112 31 STOCKHOLM

Present

THE CASE

Custody, living arrangements, visitation rights, etc.

The judge reviews what has previously been decided in the case.

CLAIMS

Goran Insulander states that Annika Sjoberg, albeit on an interim/interlocutory basis, petitions for sole custody of the daughter, Lovisa.

Martin Thomasson states that Mrado Slovovic’s stance is as follows: He contests Annika Sjoberg’s claim. He petitions, albeit on an interim/interlocutory basis, to have visitation rights with Lovisa every week from Tuesday at six p.m. to Friday at six p.m.

Goran Insulander states that Annika Sjoberg contests Mrado Slovovic’s claim. She agrees that Mrado Slovovic should have visitation rights with Lovisa every other week from Tuesday at six p.m. to Wednesday at six p.m.

GROUNDS, ETC.

Goran Insulander states that the grounds for and the circumstances around Annika Sjoberg’s case are as follows: Annika Sjoberg and Mrado Slovovic were married around nine years ago. Together, they had a daughter, Lovisa, two years later. It is in the best interest of Lovisa not to have too much contact with Mrado Slovovic, since he has a very negative influence on his daughter, as well as the fact that it is dangerous for the daughter to spend time with him. Furthermore, he is unable to cooperate with Annika Sjoberg when it comes to picking up and dropping off the girl in connection with his visitation rights. Mrado Slovovic has threatened her on a number of occasions. Despite this, Annika Sjoberg believes that Mrado Slovovic should have limited visitation with Lovisa, since it is important for a child to have a connection with both parents. Lovisa never asks for Mrado Slovovic. In 2002, the parties’ relationship began to deteriorate. Mrado Slovovic was never home at night and slept most of the day. He became angry when Lovisa cried or made noise and didn’t take care of her. Annika Sjoberg was the one who fed Lovisa and cared for her hygiene. Mrado Slovovic moved in criminal circles and, in the spring of 2004, Annika Sjoberg decided to file for divorce. Mrado Slovovic was enraged by this and threatened, among other things, to take Lovisa with him to Serbia. On two occasions, he also said that he would break her neck if she didn’t let him live with Lovisa. Between 2004 and 2006, his visitation rights with Lovisa have been characterized by problems. Over long periods of time, four months being the longest, he has not seen Lovisa at all. On several occasions, Mrado Slovovic has failed to show up at the agreed time and instead kept Lovisa for up to three days longer without Annika Sjoberg’s permission. Lovisa is very stressed-out and sleeps poorly after she has been with him. When she is with Mrado Slovovic, she is allowed to watch movies all night and he does not prepare proper food for her. He still moves in criminal circles and has previously been convicted of several violent crimes. Acquaintances of Annika Sjoberg have reported seeing Mrado Slovovic driving at speeds far above the speed limit with Lovisa in his sports car. It has also happened on one occasion that he took her along to a combat sports club, where she had to stand outside the ring and watch Mrado Slovovic be beaten up. Lovisa was very upset after this. It is harmful for Lovisa to spend time with Mrado Slovovic. Partly because he brings her along to activities that are actually dangerous, and partly because he is involved in criminal activity. Furthermore, Mrado Slovivic is unable to work together with Annika Sjoberg.

Martin Thomasson states the grounds for and the circumstances around Mrado Slovic’s case are as follows: Lovisa needs her father. It is untrue that it is dangerous for her to spend time with him. He does not exceed the speed limit when driving with her in his car. He has given her proper food and she does not only watch TV. They do many active things together, such as go to the Skansen outdoor museum and bake. On one occasion, Lovisa accompanied Mrado Slovoic to his combat sports gym, but it is not true that she saw him being beaten. What did, in fact, happen was that he and Lovisa “shadowboxed” for fun in the ring in a completely harmless manner. The reason that Annika Sjoberg makes false claims is that she is jealous of Mrado Slovovic, since he, shortly after the termination of their marriage, had a relationship with another woman. The problems in connection with Lovisa’s pickup and drop-off are brought about by Annika Sjoberg, who is at times psychologically fragile. On such occasions, she lies apathetically in bed and is unable to take care of Lovisa. This behavior had already begun during the parties’ marriage. When Annika Sjoberg suffers such periods of depression, Mrado Slovovic does not deem it healthy for Lovisa to live with her mother. Lovisa is very happy with the time she spends with Mrado Slovovic and has on several occasions expressed a desire to spend more time with him. On Mrado Slovovic’s last occasion of visitation in January, Lovisa said that “she wanted to live with Daddy like she lives with Mommy.” She is always very sad when it is time to drop her off with Annika Sjoberg. Annika Sjoberg has refused Mrado Slovovic the right to take Lovisa to Serbia to visit the daughter’s grandfather. Mrado Slovovic has never had the intention of taking Lovisa there without Annika Sjoberg’s permission. It is in the best interest of Lovisa that the parties maintain joint custody of her and that she spend the same amount of time with her father as with her mother. Presently, Mrado Slovovic is of the mind that visitation from Tuesay to Friday is sufficient.

The judge presided over a discussion during which the parties aimed to come to an agreement. No mutual agreement was reached.

The meeting is adjourned with an announcement that a decision will be made public at the office of the Court on February 23 of this year, at 1:30 p.m.

After careful consideration, the District Court has reached the following decision:

DECISION (TO BE DELIVERED ON FEBRUARY 23 OF THIS YEAR, AT 1:30 P.M.)

Opinion of the Court

The District Court does not find sufficient grounds to terminate joint custody in the present situation. Annika Sjoberg’s claim will therefore be dismissed.

As for visitation rights, the District Court concludes that Mrado Slovovic has had irregular contact with Lovisa in recent years. Considering this, the District Court finds that Mrado Slovovic, until further notice, will have visitation rights with Lovisa one day every other week. If the visitation proves positive, the parties can discuss increased forms of visitation independently.

CONCLUSION

Until the issues have been resolved by a final verdict, or by court order, or by a contract created by the parents that has, in turn, been approved by Social Services, or until another decision has been made, the District Court has decided the following:

A.

The parties will continue to maintain joint custody of Lovisa.

B.

Lovisa’s need to see her father will, until further notice, be filled by Mrado Slovovic’s right to visitation with her every other week from Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. to Thursday at 6:00 p.m.