The Government and the Sweden Democrats agree on banning participation in criminal gangs.
Earlier this year, a proposal was presented on how this can be achieved by amending the Constitution. However, a special law must also be written to establish how criminalization will be implemented in the Penal Code, for example, how severe the penalties will be.
Now, the Government is appointing an inquiry to examine this issue.
The investigator will also examine whether criminalization should also include those who do not participate in a gang but have other connections with it.
To Reach Gang Leaders
The idea behind both participation and connections is to reach more people in and around criminal gangs than today.
One can imagine a gang leader sitting at a very convenient distance from the concrete crimes, where one cannot necessarily link them to a specific crime today, says Strömmer.
It can also be individuals lower down in the hierarchy who contribute to strengthening the gang's capabilities without participating in a specific crime.
Connections could involve people who perform services for criminals.
As a starting point, one must assume that it will primarily concern, for example, lawyers, real estate agents, auditors, and other professional groups that sell services to criminal networks, or similar activities, says Strömmer.
The Law is Delayed
The police have estimated that around 14,000 people are active in criminal gangs in Sweden. If those who can be linked to gangs are also counted, it involves over 60,000 people.
However, it will take time before a ban on participating in criminal gangs can be in place. Since it involves a constitutional amendment, it cannot happen until after the next election.
It is already illegal in Sweden to participate in a terrorist organization. Since it became illegal in 2023, five people have been convicted of terrorist offenses, including the two brothers who were arrested in a high-profile raid by Säpo in Tyresö.
