Adouli, 18, shot dead at Mälarhöjdens IP – "Scar" charged with murder
18-year-old rapper Adal Debretsions, known as Adouli, was shot dead in Stockholm in 2023. Gang member Ildar "Scar" Galiyev was charged in 2026 with the murder.
Rapper Adouli, 18, shot dead in Stockholm – gang member charged three years later
On the evening of 27 September 2023, Adal Debretsions' mother was walking through Fruängen in south Stockholm when she encountered one of her son's friends. The friend told her he was on his way to meet "Adouli" – the nickname the 18-year-old went by. The mother asked him to pass on her regards and went on her way. Moments later, she heard the helicopter and police sirens cutting through the residential area.
She read in a news article that a man had been shot at Mälarhöjdens IP, a stone's throw away. Since the victim was described as a man, she thought it must be someone older.
– How could I think it was him, when they described the person as a man? He was only 18 years old. I could never have imagined it, she tells aftonbladet.se.
"He always had a smile on his face"
Adouli's mother and his 19-year-old sister describe him as a child with a big heart – empathetic, humble but also stubborn and full of energy.
– He was a very happy person. Ambitious and kind. He shared everything with everyone and was always happy and joking, says his mother.
His sister recalls that music was a central part of her brother's life from childhood.
– Ever since he was small, he could sing and dance, and he had a big personality. He always liked Michael Jackson. He used to imitate his songs and clothes, she says.
As a child, Adouli dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. He used to tell his mother that he would become a famous player, and after every goal he would run around the pitch and make a victory gesture. But over the years, music took over. At 13, he began writing and recording his own songs and quickly established himself on the Swedish hip-hop scene under the stage name Adouli. Several of his songs have millions of listens on YouTube.
– I told him that what mattered most to me was that he was well and doing what he wanted. "If you're well, I'm well", I used to say, his mother recalls.
Charged with around 20 serious offences
In October 2026, charges were brought against gang member Ildar Galiyev, known by the nickname "Scar", for around twenty serious offences – including the murder of Adouli. Several of the offences are linked to the conflict between the Foxtrot network and the Dalen network. According to police, Adouli himself had no known connection to either network.
Prosecutor Angelica Runesson, one of the lead prosecutors in the investigations, states that the conflict is believed to have been the motive for this murder as well.
– The accused is linked to the leadership of what is known as the Dalen network. I claim that the motive for this murder is connected to this conflict, says Runesson.
"It's like a nightmare"
For Adouli's mother and sister, the three years since his death have been marked by grief without answers.
– It has been heavy and dark. You keep asking yourself: Why? Why did this happen? There are only questions and still no answers. It's like a nightmare, says his mother.
Support from friends, family and the church has helped them bear the grief. And Adouli's music – they still listen to it.
– I didn't think he would become an artist or rapper. But that's what he wanted and he was talented. He created something beautiful that he left behind for us as a memory. I am proud of that, says his mother.
Source: Aftonbladet