Johan Alfred Ander: Sweden’s Last Execution

On November 23, 1910, Johan Alfred Ander became the last person to be executed in Sweden, marking a significant end to capital punishment in the country. His execution took place at Långholmen Prison in Stockholm, using a guillotine—an execution device that was, notably, only used once in Swedish history.

Background

Johan Alfred Ander, born on November 27, 1873, held multiple jobs, often finding himself in financial difficulty. His criminal history included minor offenses before he committed the crime leading to his execution. On January 5, 1910, Ander robbed the Gerells late exchange office and hotel in Stockholm. During the robbery, a clerk named Victoria Hellsten was fatally injured, leading to his arrest and conviction for murder.

Trial and Conviction

Ander’s trial was swift, as the evidence against him was substantial. He was caught with the stolen items, including banknotes stained with blood, and eyewitness accounts placed him at the crime scene. Following a brief trial, he was sentenced to death on May 14, 1910, which ultimately led to his execution later that year.

Execution

The execution on November 23, 1910, was carried out using a guillotine that was specially imported from France. This method of execution had only recently been adopted in Sweden, and Ander’s execution was its first application. Witnesses reported the event as efficient, taking place early in the morning before a small group of officials.

Legacy and Significance

Johan Alfred Anders’s execution remains a historical milestone, as it was the last application of the death penalty in Sweden. The event led to increasing public and political debate over capital punishment. Although legal, executions became increasingly rare due to changing societal views and judicial reforms. By 1921, Sweden had officially abolished capital punishment in peacetime, later extending the ban to wartime in 1973.

The case of Johan Alfred Ander highlights a pivotal moment in Sweden’s legal history, reflecting broader shifts in attitudes toward justice and capital punishment in Europe during the early 20th century.