Netflix’s ‘The Helicopter Heist’ Delve into the True Story of a Daring 2009 raid undertaken by a group of robbers in Stockholm, Sweden. The show exposes the complex nature of the actual heist through the eyes of those involved, combining an intimate drama with a thriller story. At the heart of the story is Rami Farhan, a family man in financial trouble, whose desperation drives him to participate in the heist even at a personal cost. While the series brings everything together from countless perspectives, Rami’s life and business take precedence in a story packed with emotion and intrigue. As such, his point of view brings to light the show’s main themes, whether through examination of fatherhood and family or the inescapable nature of a criminal lifestyle.
The real-life inspiration of Rami Farhan
Although ‘The Helicopter Heist’ is based on the semi-fictional novel of the same name by Jonas Bonnier, inspired by the helicopter heist in Västberga, large parts of the story resemble the real life events that took place in the case. However, certain names have been changed and backstories have been created that may differ from how things played out. Rami Farhan’s character fits that bill, as Bonnier cast him as an obvious replacement for Safa Kadhum, the Iraqi robber involved in the G4S building heist. His fictional counterpart turns out to be a desperate family man who turned to crime to escape his crippling debt situation. The story also highlights the difficulties he faces as an ethnic minority in Scandinavian society, helping to build a sense of empathy for his plight.
In reality, Kadhum excelled at theft, having been caught in a number of robberies before the big one that made him infamous in Swedish history. Kadhum was reportedly one of the main participants in the Västberga cash depot robbery on September 23, 2009, which courageously used a helicopter to escape from the facility. He and several others were later captured in the aftermath of an investigation that led to his arrest and eight-year prison sentence on aggravated robbery charges. As depicted in the series, Kadhum’s DNA was found in the facility through traces of blood left behind as a result of an injury he suffered during the robbery. It was one of the major factors contributing to his downfall.
One inconsistency that emerges in the show is Kadhum’s reasons for leaving the country. The story shows it as a precaution to evade the authorities, especially after he finds out he may have left some blood at the scene. His real reasons for leaving the country reportedly had more to do with his then-pregnant girlfriend, whom he did not want involved in his affairs. He preemptively traveled to the Dominican Republic to prevent her from finding any reason to end their relationship, which had hit rocky spots earlier in her life. Parts of this find their way into the show’s complicated family drama angle. Kadhum was arrested at a small resort in January 2010 and sentenced to prison a few months later in October.
Safa Kadhum maintains a low profile today
After receiving his verdict, Safa Kadhum served his eight-year sentence without much fuss. As mentioned in the show’s ending, which details the fate of each robber, Kadhum never gave up the identity of his accomplices in the heist. In the series, this information comes across as a sign of his loyalty to his brothers in arms. In reality, however, he would have been concerned that giving up the names of the others involved would have serious consequences for his family and children. It is worth noting that Kadhum’s testimony claimed that he was forced to participate in the robbery because of a debt he owed to his creditors, who offered him the opportunity to settle his debts by participating in the crime.
Today he is probably a free man, having served the full term of his prison sentence, regardless of any other problems that may have arisen in the intervening period. While Jonas Bonnier was researching his novel, Safa Kadhum provided him with a detailed description of his story through numerous interviews. Published in 2017, the book covers Kadhum’s story in a partially fictionalized format, told through his counterpart, Rami Farhan. It is difficult to know what Kadhum is doing today as he has kept a low profile to protect his privacy. After putting the spotlight on his head via the Västberga robbery, he likely prefers a life of anonymity and may have retreated to a domestic existence with his girlfriend and children in Stockholm, Sweden.
Read more: The true story of the helicopter robbery explained
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