The men were arrested on Ön in Limhamn, Malmö, early Saturday morning. They were detained at a tent where they are suspected of having abused two girls under the age of 15 who had escaped from HVB homes in other parts of the country.
The 44-year-old man is also being investigated for assault, as the girls are said to have been threatened with reprisals if they called the police, according to Sydsvenskan.
Both suspects have criminal records, with several convictions, although not for sexual offenses.
Both men deny any wrongdoing.