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Friday, October 10, 2025

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/denmark/danish-police-temporarily-outlaw-bandidos-mc/

Denmark

Danish police temporarily outlaw Bandidos MC

Published 23 May 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Bandidos members in the United States.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Danish police issued a temporary ban on the Danish branch of the Bandidos motorcycle club on Wednesday. Police spokespersons justify the ban in light of the “violent behavior” of the biker club.

The temporary ban is based on the assessment that the group’s activities and the behavior of its members “pose both a serious threat to the life and safety of citizens, but also to public order as such,” said Lasse Boje, head of Denmark’s national special crime unit, which deals with the most complex economic crime, such as organized crime and cybercrime.

The ban has come into effect immediately, meaning that members of the group cannot use their clubhouses, hold meetings or wear their insignia.

“Brutal behavior”

Police Chief Boje emphasizes that “their violence must stop now”, adding that the Danish branch of Bandidos has been involved in at least 10 violent conflicts with other criminal groups over the past decade.

He said that while they will not cease to exist and be criminals, “this will, among other things, weaken their ability to recruit”.

Last month, the Danish government announced that it wants a court to formally dissolve Bandidos. Under the Danish constitution, an organization that promotes or incites violence can be dissolved by a court.

Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said at the time that “freedom of association was not created to protect evil criminals” and that Bandidos had engaged in particularly “brutal behavior”.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Bandidos MC

  • Founded: March 4, 1966
  • Founder: Donald Eugene Chambers
  • Origin: San Leon, Texas, USA
  • Motto: “We are the people our parents warned us about”
  • Symbol: A Mexican bandit with machete and gun

The Bandidos is an international motorcycle club known both for its social activities and for its reputation for involvement in criminal activities, including drug trafficking, violent crime and extortion. Bandidos has thousands of members globally, with chapters in over 20 countries.

Bandidos MC Denmark

Bandidos established its first chapter in Denmark in 1993. The Danish branch of Bandidos has been involved in several high-profile conflicts, including the so-called “Nordic MC war” in the 1990s between Bandidos and Hells Angels. The war between the clubs ended with 11 dead and almost 100 injured.

In addition to criminal activities, the club is also involved in various social and charity events, but these activities have often been seen as an attempt to improve the club's public image. More recently, under increasing pressure from the Danish judiciary in light of several high-profile acts of violence in Denmark.

In recent years, members of Bandidos in Denmark have been imprisoned for murder, attempted murder, assault and drug-related crimes.

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/denmark/danish-government-wants-to-ban-social-media-for-children/

Denmark

Danish government wants to ban social media for children

Published yesterday 12:44
– By Editorial Staff
Children under 15 banned from social media, with parental consent allowed from age 13.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Danish government is moving in the same direction as neighboring Norway and wants to see a ban on social media for children. The proposal means that all children under 15 years old would not be allowed to create accounts on social media platforms.

During this week’s opening speech at the Folketing (Danish Parliament), which marks the beginning of autumn work for the Danish government, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared that there are now plans to introduce a national age limit for social media.

— Mobile phones and social media are stealing our children’s childhood, says Frederiksen according to Danish state broadcaster DR.

The proposal would mean that all children under 15 years old would be prohibited from creating accounts on social media. However, parents would be able to give their children permission from the day they turn 13.

Other countries have also moved in a similar direction. Neighboring Norway has also put forward a similar proposal for a national age limit of 15 years. In Australia, lawmakers have passed a law that means young people under 16 years old are not allowed to create accounts on social media.

“Unleashed a monster”

The Prime Minister points to screens creating both addiction and poor mental health among young people, and that the government wants to protect children from the digital reality that often contains things young people shouldn’t see. According to Frederiksen, parents have “said yes to mobile phones in our children’s lives with the best of intentions, so they could call home and communicate with their family members”.

— But we have unleashed a monster, she says.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/finland/nigerians-flock-to-tax-funded-finnish-culinary-education/

Finland

Nigerians flock to tax-funded Finnish culinary education

Published 8 October 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The majority of students in Vamia's international culinary program come from Asia and Africa.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The vocational school Vamia in Vaasa, Finland receives thousands of applications annually from Africa and Asia for its free culinary education program.

Of this year’s 4,059 applications, nearly half came from Nigeria, and now the Finnish government wants the education to become fee-based for non-European students.

Ebuka Mbanugo, 33, from Nigeria already has a degree in accounting from his home country. But that degree hasn’t been of much use to him in his hometown of Lagos, he explains. Instead, he chose to move to Finland to study on Vamia’s international culinary program.

The education is free of charge – that is, financed by Finnish taxpayers.

— Honestly, I wouldn’t be able to afford to pay a fee for my studies, he tells Yle.

He used his savings to travel to Finland and has received financial help from his family to build a life here.

Majority from Africa and Asia

In the practice kitchen at Vamia, the majority of students come from Asia and Africa. Of this year’s over 4,000 applications, 1,962 came from Nigeria, and overall the number of applications from outside the EU has increased dramatically in recent years.

Last year, over 12,200 people from countries outside Europe studied at Finnish vocational schools and 4,700 at upper secondary schools.

Principal Åsa Stenbacka says she doesn’t know exactly why the school receives so many applications from outside Europe, but she assumes that the free education plays a decisive role. It takes three people a full week to go through all the applications.

€7,000 per student

Each graduated restaurant chef provides Vamia with approximately €7,000 through the tax-funded state subsidy system. The government’s proposal means that students from outside Europe would have to pay this amount themselves to finance their education.

— This will significantly affect the number of applicants, says Stenbacka, who argues that both the school and companies that need workers will be affected.

She points out that many students already work alongside their studies to manage financially.

— If they also have to pay a fee of €7,000, it will become unsustainable for them, she continues.

About 75 percent of graduates find jobs in Finland’s restaurant industry. Some move to the capital region, Lapland, or Åland. At the same time, unemployment has increased in Finland in recent years, and the restaurant industry is notorious for its low wages and high staff turnover.

“The economy is strained”

Education Minister Anders Adlercreutz explains that a fee for foreign students is a way to save money for the state.

— At the beginning of the government term, the government made an assessment that a fee could be appropriate, since the economy is strained, he states.

He also highlights the problem of upper secondary schools and vocational schools attracting foreign students, often minors living without guardians in Finland.

Apprenticeship education, where students study in combination with work, will remain free of charge going forward.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/norway/telenor-faces-lawsuit-over-human-rights-abuses-in-myanmar/

Norway

Telenor faces lawsuit over human rights abuses in Myanmar

Mass surveillance

Published 7 October 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Telenor's information chief calls the demand a "PR stunt" and argues that the matter has already been handled by police and the judicial system.
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Over a thousand people may have been persecuted, tortured, arrested or killed when Norwegian telecommunications company Telenor handed over sensitive customer data to the military junta in Myanmar. Now victims and relatives are threatening to sue and demanding millions in damages.

On Monday, Telenor’s management received a notice of lawsuit where the compensation claim is motivated by the telecom company illegally sharing sensitive personal data with Myanmar’s military junta.

“We ask for a response on whether the basis for the claim is disputed as soon as possible, but no later than within two weeks”, the letter stated.

Behind the claim stands the Dutch organization Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (Somo) together with several Myanmar civil society organizations.

After the military coup in February 2021, the junta forced telecom operators like Telenor to hand over sensitive information about their customers. The information was then used to identify, track and arrest regime critics and activists.

Politician executed

Among those affected is a prominent politician and Telenor customer, and after the company handed over the data, the man was arrested, sentenced to death and executed in prison.

— We know that the potential group of victims is more than 1,000 people, says Joseph Wilde-Ramsing, director and lead negotiator at Somo to Norwegian business newspaper Dagens Næringsliv.

He emphasizes that some of the victims are dead and executed, while several are arrested.

— We are in contact with their family members and demand financial compensation from Telenor for what they have been subjected to.

Claim worth millions

Lawyer Jan Magne Langseth, partner at Norwegian law firm Simonsen Vogt Wiig, represents Somo in the case. He states that the claim will be extensive.

— We have not yet set an exact figure, but there is little doubt it will amount to several hundred million kroner, he says.

Both individuals and organizations working for the democracy movement in Myanmar are demanding compensation.

— We have the number lists that were handed over to the junta, but we don’t have all the names of the subscribers yet, says Langseth.

The notice establishes that Telenor systematically handed over personal data to the military junta, well aware that this would lead to human rights violations – including persecution, arbitrary arrests and elimination of opponents.

“This can be documented with extensive evidence”, the document states.

Telenor: “No good choices”

Telenor’s communications director David Fidjeland dismisses the matter and claims that the issue has already been resolved.

“The tragic developments in Myanmar have been the subject of several investigations within the police and judiciary without leading anywhere. Telenor Myanmar found itself in a terrible and tragic situation and unfortunately had no good choices”, he writes in an email and continues:

“That journalists from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur to Marienlyst [Telenor’s headquarters in Norway] received this notice long before we ourselves received it unfortunately says something about where Somo has its focus. This unfortunately seems more like a PR stunt in a tragic matter than a serious communication”.

Sold operations in 2022

Telenor received a mobile license in Myanmar in 2014. In a short time, the company became a major mobile operator with over 18 million customers in the country. After the military coup in February 2021, when the previous government was overthrown, Telenor chose to sell its mobile operations in Myanmar to Lebanese M1 Group – including customer data. The sale was completed in March 2022.

According to local media, M1 Group’s local partner has close ties to the military junta.

Lawyer Langseth addresses the question of whether a refusal to hand over data would have affected local employees.

— The employees at Telenor Myanmar did not need to be involved. It could have been controlled from Norway or other countries in the group. Witnesses have told us that there was internal resistance among several of the key local employees at Telenor Myanmar against handing over data to the junta, he says.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/three-criminal-networks-responsible-for-half-of-gang-violence-in-sweden/

Sweden

Three criminal networks responsible for half of gang violence in Sweden

organized crime

Published 7 October 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Rawa Majid, Mikael Tenezos and Ismail Abdo lead the groups that have committed the most violent crimes during the year.
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Foxtrot, Dalen and Rumba – three criminal networks and their leaders bear responsibility for nearly half of all gang violence that has led to personal injuries or deaths in Sweden during 2025.

Despite extensive police operations following the major wave of violence in 2023, the same gang leaders continue to control their organizations and instigate violent acts from abroad, according to an internal situation report obtained by Bonnier newspaper Expressen.

The police report identifies three main actors: Foxtrot led by Rawa “Kurdish Fox” Majid, the Dalen network headed by Mikael “The Greek” Tenezos, and the Rumba network under Ismail “Strawberry” Abdo.

“There are over 50 mapped networks in Sweden that are assessed to have very high violence potential. In light of this, it is remarkable that only three networks are involved in nearly half of the violence that leads to personal injuries and/or deaths”, the police write.

Conflicts between the three networks have somewhat subsided since the 2023 wave of violence, which is reflected in statistics showing a sharp decrease in gun violence, but police simultaneously warn that this does not mean the networks have been weakened. Both Foxtrot and Dalen have instead focused on drug trafficking and carry out violent acts for payment.

Released on bail – now arrested again

The Rumba network is reported to have been weakened since leader Ismail Abdo was arrested by Turkish police in early July 2025. The arrest is considered a major success for Swedish police, as the network is suspected of extensive weapons smuggling and a long series of violent acts.

Abdo had previously been arrested in Turkey in May 2024, when he was armed with a loaded pistol and wearing a bulletproof vest. But he was released after paying the equivalent of approximately €550 in bail.

Smuggling hand grenades from the Balkans

Foxtrot, which is assessed to be the most violence-driven network, has according to police “an established logistics chain for smuggling weapons and hand grenades from the Balkans”. The network has carried out several attacks per month during 2025, primarily to strengthen its position in the drug market.

Among the notable incidents is a series in western Sweden where a shooting and four arson attacks were carried out after the network’s accomplices stole over 30 kilos of cocaine. In another case, three bombing attacks were carried out against a person’s relatives as pressure for that person to start dealing Foxtrot’s narcotics.

Rawa Majid, who left Turkey in autumn 2023, remains at large. Reports have claimed that he was detained in Iran and he has also been accused of orchestrating attacks against Israeli targets in Europe on behalf of the Iranian regime.

In January, Majid’s uncle was murdered in Husby, a Stockholm suburb. In an interrogation, Majid’s father said his son had promised not to seek revenge.

— He promised me not to do anything, the father said. When police asked where the son got information about who ordered the murder, the answer was: “He knows everything”.

Police assess that “a critical dependency for the Foxtrot network’s use of violence is likely the strategic persons who are located abroad”.

New wave of violence expected

Mikael Tenezos, the former hockey talent who leads the Dalen network, is in turn wanted in absentia but controls his network from Mexico. Despite repeated appeals from Swedish authorities, most recently in February 2025, he has not yet been arrested.

The Dalen network dominates drug trafficking in northern Sweden, with Gävle as the new central distribution point. The network also carries out violent acts for payment, primarily threats, violence and debt collection for financial criminals. The weapons used have largely come from the Rumba network’s smuggling from Turkey.

Police warn of the risk that a new major conflict could break out if Foxtrot and Dalen clash in the drug market. Both networks are assessed to have the ability to quickly scale up and carry out multiple violent acts in a short time.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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