SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

USA imposes sanctions on Foxtrot and Majid

The USA is introducing sanctions against the Foxtrot network and its wanted leader Rawa Majid. Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (The Moderate Party) welcomes the announcement. From a Swedish perspective, we view positively the steps being taken by the USA, he says.

» Published: March 12 2025

USA imposes sanctions on Foxtrot and Majid
Photo: Tullverket

In a press release from the US Department of the Treasury, the attack on the Israeli embassy in Stockholm in January 2024 is mentioned, which the Foxtrot network is accused of having orchestrated on behalf of Iran. A hand grenade was then thrown at the embassy, but did not detonate.

The Treasury Department's sanctions are based on the criminal network's alleged ties to Iran.

The sanctions mean that all property and interests in property in the USA belonging to individuals linked to the network will be blocked. This also applies to property held or controlled by individuals in the USA.

Säpo: Iran exploits networks

"The Treasury Department, together with our American government and international partners, will continue to hold those who try to promote Iran's malicious and destabilizing agenda accountable," says Finance Minister Scott Bessent in the press release.

Rawa Majid, also known as the Kurdish Fox, comes from Uppsala but left Sweden several years ago. He has been internationally wanted for a long time for involvement in serious crime, including murder, linked to the Foxtrot network.

According to the Israeli intelligence service Mossad's information, 38-year-old Majid was recruited by Iran in the fall of 2023.

The intelligence service has stated that Swedish criminal networks have been hired by Iran to attack Israeli targets in Stockholm. The Security Service and the police have also confirmed that Iran exploits criminal networks to carry out violent acts against other states, groups, or individuals in Sweden – specifically mentioning Israel and Jewish interests as targets.

Marco Rubio: Notorious gang

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also spoken out, calling Foxtrot a "notorious criminal gang".

Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) tells TT that the government has close cooperation with countries within and outside the EU in the work to tackle gang crime abroad.

From a Swedish perspective, we view positively the steps taken by the USA, which means that key players in the networks can be disrupted and prevented from continuing their criminal activities, he says, and continues.

The US decision to impose sanctions on a key Swedish actor can hopefully contribute to further strengthening the operational work carried out by the authorities.

The Foxtrot network, led by Rawa Majid from Uppsala, has for several years been engaged in extensive drug smuggling to Sweden. The network has allied itself with several criminal networks in Sweden, which have assisted Foxtrot in carrying out serious violent crimes.

Between 2021 and 2023, the network was involved in at least four separate conflicts with other gangs, including the Dalen network in southern Stockholm.

In the summer of 2023, an internal split occurred within the network, resulting in a bloody conflict between individuals in Foxtrot. Among other things, the mother of one of the leading figures, Ismail Abdo, was murdered in her home outside Uppsala.

Abdo later became a leader in a new, rival network known to the police as Rumba.

Another leading figure in the conflict was shot dead in Baghdad, Iraq, in early 2024. Three Swedes have been sentenced to death in Iraq for the murder. One of the sentences was later commuted to imprisonment.

Source: PM from the National Operational Department (Noa), TT

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Man Sentenced for Smuggling Over 2 Million Cigarettes to Norway

Man Sentenced for Smuggling Over 2 Million Cigarettes to Norway

Swedish Police Face Million-Kronor Fine Over Rain Gear Purchase

Swedish Police Face Million-Kronor Fine Over Rain Gear Purchase

Sweden Halts Vehicle Inspections for Emergency Alarms Amid Network Changes

Sweden Halts Vehicle Inspections for Emergency Alarms Amid Network Changes

Kristersson Unaware of Deleted Email in Landerholm Case

Kristersson Unaware of Deleted Email in Landerholm Case

Mystery Deepens Over Trollhättan Neck Ring: Is It Really Gold?

Mystery Deepens Over Trollhättan Neck Ring: Is It Really Gold?

Swedish Agriculture Board Rethinks Controversial Animal Space Rules

Swedish Agriculture Board Rethinks Controversial Animal Space Rules

E6 Landslide Probe in Stenungsund Delayed Until Summer

E6 Landslide Probe in Stenungsund Delayed Until Summer

40 Suspects Tied to Malmö Prostitution Ring at Thai Massage Parlor

40 Suspects Tied to Malmö Prostitution Ring at Thai Massage Parlor

Swedish Climate Goals at Risk: Experts Criticize Kristersson's Leadership

Swedish Climate Goals at Risk: Experts Criticize Kristersson's Leadership

Sweden's Government Rejects Experts' Call for Higher Fuel Taxes

Sweden's Government Rejects Experts' Call for Higher Fuel Taxes

Bribery Investigation at Karolinska Hospital Ends Without Charges

Bribery Investigation at Karolinska Hospital Ends Without Charges

Sweden Urged to Act Fast on Climate Goals as Time Runs Short

Sweden Urged to Act Fast on Climate Goals as Time Runs Short

Sweden Moves to Ban Fur Farming, Focuses on Mink Breeding

Sweden Moves to Ban Fur Farming, Focuses on Mink Breeding

Landerholm Trial Delayed to August Amid Evidence Deletion Claims

Landerholm Trial Delayed to August Amid Evidence Deletion Claims

Sweden Unveils Ambitious Cybersecurity Strategy for 2025-2029

Sweden Unveils Ambitious Cybersecurity Strategy for 2025-2029

Investigation Reveals Welding Error Sparked Fatal Fire at Liseberg's Oceana

Investigation Reveals Welding Error Sparked Fatal Fire at Liseberg's Oceana

Swedish Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Copenhagen Grenade Attack

Swedish Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Copenhagen Grenade Attack

Reflective Vests Recalled in Sweden Over Safety Concerns

Reflective Vests Recalled in Sweden Over Safety Concerns

Lundin Oil Knew of Witness Threats, Continued Operations Anyway

Lundin Oil Knew of Witness Threats, Continued Operations Anyway

Social Democrats Urge Swift Action as Sweden Lags Behind in Defense Strategy

Social Democrats Urge Swift Action as Sweden Lags Behind in Defense Strategy

Customs Alert: Hidden Dangers in Ginseng Supplements from Sweden

Customs Alert: Hidden Dangers in Ginseng Supplements from Sweden

Sweden Allocates 300 Million Kronor to Boost School Safety Measures

Sweden Allocates 300 Million Kronor to Boost School Safety Measures

Man Arrested After Shots Fired at Stockholm Apartment Door

Man Arrested After Shots Fired at Stockholm Apartment Door

Sweden Shines in Happiness Rankings, But Finland Leads the Way

Sweden Shines in Happiness Rankings, But Finland Leads the Way

Swedish Women Lead in Charity as Men's Donations Decline

Swedish Women Lead in Charity as Men's Donations Decline

Gunfire Hits Apartment Door in Stockholm Suburb; Police Investigate

Gunfire Hits Apartment Door in Stockholm Suburb; Police Investigate

Sweden Unveils First Baltic Marine National Park in Nämdöskärgården

Sweden Unveils First Baltic Marine National Park in Nämdöskärgården

Train Service Resumes North of Stockholm After Brief Halt

Train Service Resumes North of Stockholm After Brief Halt

Astronauts Return After 9 Months in Space: Health Challenges Await

Astronauts Return After 9 Months in Space: Health Challenges Await

Police Safely Disarm Suspicious Object in Helsingborg, Sweden

Police Safely Disarm Suspicious Object in Helsingborg, Sweden

Prosecutor: Evidence Mounts Against Ex-Security Adviser Landerholm

Prosecutor: Evidence Mounts Against Ex-Security Adviser Landerholm

Swedish Ombudsman Criticizes Prison for Denying Haircuts to Detainees

Swedish Ombudsman Criticizes Prison for Denying Haircuts to Detainees

Karolinska Hospital to Treat Nightclub Fire Victims from North Macedonia

Karolinska Hospital to Treat Nightclub Fire Victims from North Macedonia

Captain Sentenced for Fatal Gothenburg Boat Crash

Captain Sentenced for Fatal Gothenburg Boat Crash

Lawyer with Crime Links Dismissed from Swedish Tax Agency

Lawyer with Crime Links Dismissed from Swedish Tax Agency

Sweden's A-Tractor Age Limit Likely to Stay at 15 After EU Talks

Sweden's A-Tractor Age Limit Likely to Stay at 15 After EU Talks

Record number of people detained for fraud against the elderly

Record number of people detained for fraud against the elderly

Five Charged for Shooting at Israeli Company

Five Charged for Shooting at Israeli Company

Person found dead in Varberg – murder investigation underway

Person found dead in Varberg – murder investigation underway

Municipal Council Chairman Suspected of Attempted Rape

Municipal Council Chairman Suspected of Attempted Rape