EU Nation Permits Police to Wiretap Minors
Sweden is swiftly working to implement new surveillance laws for minors in response to a rise in juvenile gang-related crime and a series of bombings. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Sweden is currently experiencing a rise in gang crime, with juvenile recruits being involved in acts of vandalism, bombings, and murder.
To address this issue, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on Thursday that the government plans to expedite legislation allowing police to conduct electronic surveillance on children under 15. This move comes in response to a troubling trend of serious crimes linked to teenagers hired by criminal gangs. The country has seen an increase in gang-related shootings and bombings in recent years.
In 2023, Sweden recorded one of the highest rates of gun violence per capita in Europe, with internationally connected gangs increasingly enlisting children.
Kristersson indicated that the government aims for the new legislation to be implemented “in the fall of 2025,” granting police access to mobile phones and the ability to wiretap minors under 15.
“It is quite obvious that we don’t have control over the wave of violence,” he stated at a press conference.
Sweden has experienced an alarming number of bombings, particularly in the Stockholm area, with over 30 incidents occurring just this month. Police officials report that many of these extortion cases are gang-related, targeting local businesses and individuals. Although the bombings in January caused property damage and injuries, they have not resulted in fatalities. In certain neighborhoods of Stockholm, police have even advised residents to remain indoors during specific times.
“During the month of January, there has been an average of one blast per day. This trend must of course be stopped,” commented Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer.
According to law enforcement reports, many of the young contract killers involved are minors, often recruited from outside Sweden. Data indicates that about 600 criminals with ties to Sweden operate from abroad.
“We see 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds carry out horrific violent assignments as if they were extra jobs. The assignments are communicated completely openly on digital marketplaces. Crime is often controlled by gang criminals who are abroad,” said Petra Lundh, Sweden’s national police chief.
Officials emphasize that gang crime in Sweden is notably organized and intricate, with leaders directing operations from abroad through intermediaries. These intermediaries utilize encrypted messaging services such as Telegram, Snapchat, and Signal to recruit teenagers below the age of criminal responsibility.
Kristersson has criticized social media companies for not taking adequate measures to safeguard children. “If this is not done, we will use Swedish law against their ability to use the platforms in this way,” he warned.
Last year, Sweden's parliament granted police the power to create so-called security zones, which permit searches in specified areas without a warrant or probable cause. Additionally, the justice minister announced the implementation of tougher penalties for youth offenders.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
To address this issue, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on Thursday that the government plans to expedite legislation allowing police to conduct electronic surveillance on children under 15. This move comes in response to a troubling trend of serious crimes linked to teenagers hired by criminal gangs. The country has seen an increase in gang-related shootings and bombings in recent years.
In 2023, Sweden recorded one of the highest rates of gun violence per capita in Europe, with internationally connected gangs increasingly enlisting children.
Kristersson indicated that the government aims for the new legislation to be implemented “in the fall of 2025,” granting police access to mobile phones and the ability to wiretap minors under 15.
“It is quite obvious that we don’t have control over the wave of violence,” he stated at a press conference.
Sweden has experienced an alarming number of bombings, particularly in the Stockholm area, with over 30 incidents occurring just this month. Police officials report that many of these extortion cases are gang-related, targeting local businesses and individuals. Although the bombings in January caused property damage and injuries, they have not resulted in fatalities. In certain neighborhoods of Stockholm, police have even advised residents to remain indoors during specific times.
“During the month of January, there has been an average of one blast per day. This trend must of course be stopped,” commented Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer.
According to law enforcement reports, many of the young contract killers involved are minors, often recruited from outside Sweden. Data indicates that about 600 criminals with ties to Sweden operate from abroad.
“We see 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds carry out horrific violent assignments as if they were extra jobs. The assignments are communicated completely openly on digital marketplaces. Crime is often controlled by gang criminals who are abroad,” said Petra Lundh, Sweden’s national police chief.
Officials emphasize that gang crime in Sweden is notably organized and intricate, with leaders directing operations from abroad through intermediaries. These intermediaries utilize encrypted messaging services such as Telegram, Snapchat, and Signal to recruit teenagers below the age of criminal responsibility.
Kristersson has criticized social media companies for not taking adequate measures to safeguard children. “If this is not done, we will use Swedish law against their ability to use the platforms in this way,” he warned.
Last year, Sweden's parliament granted police the power to create so-called security zones, which permit searches in specified areas without a warrant or probable cause. Additionally, the justice minister announced the implementation of tougher penalties for youth offenders.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
