Kurdistan Observer

Swedish police said Wednesday they had arrested a Kurdish immigrant on suspicion of killing his daughter who reportedly planned to marry against his wishes.

With a general election less than two months away, the case is likely to fuel debate about Sweden's ability to integrate a large immigrant population shaken by similar "honor killings."

The victim, 21-year-old television presenter Asrin Masifi, was initially thought to have hanged herself when her body was found on April 26. Local media said an inquest had found she had been strangled.

Police arrested Masifi's father on suspicion of murder and her sister as an accomplice. Neither suspect has been charged.

Swedish media said Masifi's family had disapproved of her plans to marry her Kurdish boyfriend.

If the motive is established, it would be Sweden's latest "honor killing" in which women are murdered by relations who fear their choice of partner or lifestyle would dishonor the family.

Three weeks before Masifi was found dead, a Swedish court jailed a Muslim Kurdish immigrant for life for murdering his daughter Fadime Sahindal because she had a Swedish boyfriend.

Traditionally tolerant Sweden's ability to integrate foreigners has become an issue in the Sept. 15 election.

Nearly one in nine of the country's 8.9 million people are first or second-generation immigrants, but unlike neighboring Denmark and Norway political parties promoting racist ideas have not fared well in Sweden.