Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

Police officers threatened in their free time

Deteriorating safety

Published 29 January 2024
– By Editorial Staff
In order to avoid threats, police officers want to see stricter legislation and not to have to work alone.
1 minute read

Four out of ten police officers have been threatened or violated in connection with their work in the past year. At the same time, more than one in ten have been victims in their free time.

The survey, conducted by research company Novus on behalf of the Swedish Police Association (Polisförbundet), shows that 37% of Swedish police officers have been subjected to threats, violence and harassment in connection with their work in the past year. In addition, eleven percent say they have been targeted in their free time.

– It is always unacceptable for police officers to be subjected to threats and violence, but when it happens outside working hours, when the police are not on duty, another line is crossed, says Katharina von Sydow, president of the Swedish Police Association, in a press release.

The police officers in the survey call for more police officers, stricter legislation and identity protection as possible measures to address the problem. The crime of threatening a police officer should also be expanded to include threats against family members, for example. Better supervision and fewer instances of lone working are also called for.

– Solo work should not occur because it takes at least two police officers to make a safe and legally sound intervention. Nevertheless, there are situations where our members are the only police officers on the ground, said von Sydow.

The survey was conducted between October 18 and November 7. 1043 police officers responded, with a response rate of 46%.

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Five explosions reported in Malmö over the past week

Deteriorating safety

Published 21 July 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The recent increase in bombings in Malmö, Sweden has alarmed both police and the public. NOTE: The image is an archive photo.
2 minute read

Malmö, Sweden has been hit by a wave of bombings – at least five explosions have occurred during the past week. Several residential areas have been damaged, but no one has been arrested yet. Police suspect the incidents are linked to criminal networks.

During week 29, several powerful detonations have awakened residents in the southern Swedish city of Malmö. All cases are being investigated as public endangerment and violations of laws regarding flammable and explosive materials.

On Friday night, an explosion occurred at a villa in Virentofta. The blast, which happened just after 2:30 AM, caused extensive damage to the property and the area was cordoned off.

We have made findings at one of the locations and need to examine this more closely along with potential connections, threat assessments and why this is happening at these specific places, says police spokesperson Katarina Rusin to tax-funded SVT (Swedish public television).

Just a few hours later an apartment building in Bunkeflostrand was damaged by a new explosion. Windows on two balconies were shattered, but no people were injured.

An explosion also occurred in Rosengård when a hand grenade was thrown into a stairwell on Wednesday evening. No one was hurt, but the destruction in the building was extensive.

We can confirm that a detonation has occurred at the bottom of the stairwell of an apartment building. Only material damage has been caused, including to apartment doors, commented duty officer Peter Martin at the police.

Two additional explosions have been registered in police incident reports. Among other things, an apartment building in Limhamn was reportedly subjected to an explosion on Sunday evening, but more exact details are currently lacking.

According to recent reports, two men have been detained suspected of the explosion in Limhamn. The men are reportedly in their 30s. No further arrests have been made and police are now working with reinforced resources in the affected areas.

We also believe there are more witnesses who may have seen or heard something, says Katarina Rusin.

Malmö thus remains severely affected by explosive violence, which according to police has clearly escalated during the summer.

Sweden: Over 900 convicted individuals evade prison sentences

Deteriorating safety

Published 15 July 2025
– By Editorial Staff
2 minute read

Today, over 900 people are wanted for refusing to serve their prison sentences. Meanwhile, the Swedish government has tightened the rules – since April this year, no one can “wait out” their sentence anymore.

A survey by news agency Siren shows that wanted criminals are found in half of Sweden’s municipalities. In total, it involves just over 900 people who actively avoid showing up when the Swedish Prison and Probation Service calls.

Since April 1 this year, the possibility of escaping punishment by hiding until the statute of limitations expires has completely disappeared. Now the sentences remain until they are enforced, regardless of how much time passes.

– It’s no longer enough to stay hidden for five or ten years, because now the sentences will remain, says Geska Mark, group manager at the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, to the news agency.

Two-thirds report voluntarily

Statistics from the Swedish Prison and Probation Service show that between 65 and 70 percent of those convicted follow the authority’s reporting decisions and appear at the designated facility when the time comes.

– When we look year by year at how many follow our reporting decisions, the proportion is between 65 and 70 percent, states Geska Mark.

Those who are not already in custody receive a letter with instructions about where and when they should report. If they fail to appear without acceptable reason, they risk being wanted, especially if they lack a known address.

Drunk driving most common among evaders

Before the rule change, approximately one hundred people annually managed to avoid prison by staying hidden until the sentence was subject to statute of limitations. Previously, there was a five-year limitation period for sentences under one year and ten years for sentences between one and four years.

Most of those who used this “way out” had been sentenced to short prison terms, often one to two months, where drunk driving was the most common crime.

– Most of the sentences that were previously subject to statute of limitations were short prison sentences, one to two months in prison, and the most common crime was drunk driving. It often involved cases where the convicted person had no address in Sweden, explains Geska Mark.

Former Swedish politician convicted of sexual harassment of minor – avoids prison

Deteriorating safety

Published 27 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The district court in Sweden assesses that it is unlikely that Hemming will subject more children to sexual abuse.
2 minute read

Gustav Hemming, former regional politician and leading figure for the Center Party in the Stockholm Region, was convicted on Wednesday by the Attunda District Court for sexual harassment after masturbating in front of a 13-year-old boy.

The district court established that the crime had a clear sexual motive and violated the child’s sexual integrity. Despite this, Hemming was sentenced to probation, thus avoiding prison time.

The incident occurred on the Roslagsbanan commuter train in August last year, and the 52-year-old politician has admitted to the act. However, in police interviews, he claimed that the act was not criminal, arguing that he had perceived a sexual connection and that he did not understand that the boy was so young.

– I was looking around a bit and I perceived some kind of contact there that explains why, well, I perceived a kind of mutuality that can be sexually arousing in an anonymous environment, Hemming said during questioning and continued:

– From my perspective, it was a derailed sexualized flirtation.

The court dismissed this defense and determined that Hemming should have realized that the victim was a child.

“According to the district court, the politician must have understood that the victim was under 15 years of age, and since the act had a clear sexual nature and was intended to violate the victim’s sexual integrity, he is convicted of sexual harassment of a minor”, the court states.

To receive €1.1 million from taxpayers

The case became known after the TV program “Efterlyst” (Sweden’s equivalent of “America’s Most Wanted”) showed images of a man touching himself, both inside and outside his clothes, on Stockholm public transport.

A party colleague recognized Hemming and alerted the Center Party, which in turn filed a police report. The Center Party official resigned from his position this winter and was charged in May.

The district court assessed that there is no elevated risk of recidivism, which justifies the probationary sentence.

The Nordic Times has in several articles highlighted Hemming’s case – including reporting on how he was granted approximately €1.1 million in severance pay from taxpayer money, as long as he is not convicted of serious crimes.

Conditional sentence

A conditional sentence is a penalty in the Swedish legal system where the convicted person avoids prison but instead is placed under a two-year probationary period. During this period, the person must not commit any new crimes.

Conditional sentences are often given to individuals who are deemed to have a low risk of reoffending and have no prior criminal record. The sentence can be combined with fines, community service, or - as in this case - compensation to the victim.

Chaos at French festival – over 140 attacked with syringes

Deteriorating safety

Published 23 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The Fête de la Musique is usually described as one of France's biggest folk festivals - but this year it was a nightmare.
3 minute read

France’s annual music festival, Fête de la Musique, turned into chaos when over 140 people were reportedly attacked with syringes in several parts of the country over the weekend. At the same time, there were reports of violent riots, injured police officers, and hundreds of arrests.

WARNING: This article contains disturbing images and video clips.

The traditional Fête de la Musique, which every year attracts millions of people to streets and squares across France, had a grim aftermath this year.

According to information from French authorities and several media outlets, at least 145 people reported being stabbed or stabbed with syringes during the festival last weekend.

The attacks are said to have taken place in various locations around the country, including Paris, Metz, and other major cities.

Assaults, smoke bombs, and chaos

Several witnesses describe chaotic scenes with fights, smoke bombs, and panic among festival-goers. Video clips shared on social media show people being kicked while lying on the ground and large crowds being dispersed by police.

The police confirm that they have received a large number of reports of suspected syringe attacks, but emphasize that it is still unclear exactly what was injected – or whether the syringes contained any dangerous substances at all.

Several of those affected were taken to hospital for examination and toxicological tests, but the results have not yet been made public. According to reports, dozens of police officers were injured during the unrest.

Hundreds arrested

According to the French Ministry of the Interior, twelve people have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the syringe attacks. At the same time, it is reported that around 370 people have been arrested for other crimes related to the festival, including violent crimes, vandalism, and disorderly conduct.

Fête de la Musique has been held since 1982 and is one of France’s largest public festivals, where both amateur and professional musicians perform in streets and squares.

However, this year’s event was marred by unusual and serious acts of violence, which have raised concerns and sparked debate about security at large public events.

The police are continuing their investigation to determine the motives, extent, and possible risks to those affected.

The authorities are urging anyone who suspects they have been attacked to seek medical attention immediately and contact the police.

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