Sweden revokes citizenship of gang criminals – government tightens measures against crime
As loyal readers of my news know, Sweden has been struggling with massive gang crime for years.
In 2023, the country recorded almost 60 restricted areas and a shocking number of 149 bombings. Now the conservative government is tightening the reins and planning to amend the constitution to revoke Swedish citizenship from gang criminals.
The proposed measures target people who pose a “serious threat to Swedish security”, provided that they have another nationality. Likewise, people should be able to lose their citizenship if they have obtained it through deception, bribery or threats.
But this tougher approach meets with resistance. The Social Democrats and Greens reject the government’s plans.
One example of the problem is the notorious “Foxtrot Network”, a criminal gang whose leader is believed to be in Iran and has ties to the Iranian regime. This network acts like a terrorist organization and has made headlines several times in the past.
In October 2024, the Foxtrot gang carried out an attack on the Israeli embassy in Stockholm, which resulted in a shootout. A few days later, two hand grenades were thrown at the Israeli embassy in Denmark, presumably also by the same group.
These incidents underscore that gang crime in Sweden has not only a national problem, but also international dimensions – with possible links to state-sponsored terrorism.
The tightened measures against crime are part of a broader program of the conservative government. This also includes a reorientation of migration policy, such as the proposal to pay people money to return to their home countries.
Sweden seems to be on a course of change, and I will continue to keep you informed of the developments.
Translated and edited by Hans Seckler