Prime Minister denounces “irresponsible immigration policy”: Sweden calls on the army to help combat gang violence

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Sweden looks back on ‘Black September’. At least a dozen people died due to gang violence during the horrific month. The most common ways to die? At the end of this month, a 24-year-old was killed in a bomb attack in Uppsala, west of Stockholm. Eleven others were shot in separate incidents.

No other EU country has seen as many people killed by violence since 2021 as Sweden. The largest Scandinavian country has long been considered a model social state, especially in the areas of immigration and integration. Now Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (59) blames the migration policies of previous left-wing governments for the misery of the violence – and calls on the army to help.

“No other country in Europe” experiences such violence

Kristersson said in a televised speech on Thursday that Sweden had never seen anything like this before and that “no other country in Europe” was experiencing such a situation. Children and innocent passersby across the country are increasingly becoming victims of violence.

On Friday, his center-right minority government said it would authorize the military to help police fight organized crime groups. On Friday morning, Prime Minister Kristersson met with the head of the Swedish Armed Forces and the police chief.

Following his talks, Kristersson said the police and armed forces had been given an official mandate to explore ways to work together to curb growing gang violence in the country. The government will also consider changes to the law. This should make it easier for the police to request military support.

“Irresponsible immigration policy and failed integration”

According to the head of government, the Swedish armed forces should initially assist the police with knowledge about explosives and with helicopter logistics and analysis. This is possible without changing the law. The national police chief explained that soldiers would not take on ‘direct’ police duties and that no troops would patrol the streets of Sweden. Police chief Anders Thornberg, 64, reiterated that gang crime now poses a “serious threat to the security of the country.”

Prime Minister Kristersson had already assured on Thursday evening: “We will track down and defeat the gangs.” The prime minister blamed the crisis on years of political naivety, especially under social democratic governments. “Irresponsible immigration policies and failed integration have led us here,” says Kristersson.

The government wants to take tough measures

The Prime Minister announced increased surveillance, tougher penalties for gun law violations, stronger deportation powers and stop-and-frisk zones. “Everything is on the table,” the prime minister said. During a visit to New York last week, he learned a lot from Mayor Eric Adams (63).

Foreigners found in criminal gang circles would also be deported, even if they have not committed a crime. In addition, new youth prisons are being built to separate young offenders from adult offenders. It must also be ensured that all children learn Swedish.

In 2023 alone, there have been approximately 260 bombings and almost 300 shootings in Sweden. Almost all of them are connected to gang and gang crime. There are numerous smaller and larger gangs that also have connections abroad. The Foxtrot gang in particular gained fame in September.

Turkey connection

The escalation began on September 6 in Istanbul when two men shot from a moped at five men with Swedish passports. The five were not squeamish and fired back. They are all now in Turkish custody. This was the start of the so-called Foxtrot War.

Sweden has been trying for some time to bring gang leader Rawa Majid (37) back to Sweden and bring him to justice. The criminal, also known as the ‘Kurdish Fox’, grew up in Uppsala and has a Swedish passport.

Turkey has so far refused to arrest and extradite Majid. Sweden’s turf wars led to diplomatic complications at the highest levels – and also played a major role in the issue of Sweden’s NATO membership.

Sweden fears for its reputation

Sweden does not yet know how to end the wave of violence. It’s about people’s safety – and the nation’s reputation and future.

On the list of the most liveable cities in the world, former leader Stockholm has now dropped to 43rd place. Copenhagen – the capital of neighboring Denmark – takes the proud second place. (kes)

Source: Blick