Uppdrag Granskning: Knutby

How could a normal Swedish non-conformist church become what many describe as a reign of terror? It all starts when a group of young active Pentecostalists in the 1990s meet Åsa Waldau, the woman who will change their lives.

Helge Fossmo’s spiritual authority as a pastor in Knutby Filadelfia grows stronger. When he becomes sexually involved with Sara, later referred to by the press as “the nanny”, it marks the start of one of many dark chapters in the history of the church.

Knutby Filadelfia is shaken by a murder and an attempted murder. The congregation isolates itself all the more from the outside world and clashes with its parent movement. Meanwhile, the leaders tighten their grip on the members and their punishments become increasingly draconian.

Victor grows up in the sect’s innermost circle. As a teenager he finds out that his mother, Åsa Waldau, is believed by many in the community to be the Bride of Christ. What was it like for the children raised under the threat of hell?

Urban, pastor and Åsa Waldau’s closest confidant, has started to call some of the community’s women his “daughters”. One of them is not yet 18. When the truth is exposed, everything starts to fall apart.

Knutby Filadelfia finally collapses and Peter Gembäck, the former director, turns himself and his former colleagues in to the police. The charges are battery, unlawful coercion and the sexual exploitation of a person in a dependant state, and now he, Åsa Waldau and Urban await their sentence.