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Monday, October 20, 2025

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/sweden-democrat-let-swedes-carry-weapons/

Sweden

Sweden Democrat: “Let Swedes carry weapons”

Published 23 August 2023
– By Editorial Staff
Josef Fransson points out that his statement is not an official SD proposal.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Sweden Democrat MP Josef Fransson is proposing that law-abiding Swedes be allowed to carry handguns to better protect the country and themselves from terrorism and gang crime.

“Sweden’s law-abiding citizens need better protection against terrorists and gang crime. I am thinking about whether it would be possible to allow civilians to carry handguns without penalty, in combination with ongoing training and shooting tests. I think many people would jump at the chance, even if they had to pay every penny themselves. What do you think? Do the benefits outweigh the costs?” he writes on X, formerly Twitter.

Fransson tells TT that he believes that if more Swedes carried guns, fewer criminals would dare to commit serious crimes such as armed robbery. He also believes that there should be an age limit for the possession of guns and also a strict examination with checks on criminal records and illnesses.

– This is not a policy proposal, not a statement, but an idea to start an interesting discussion and see if anyone can come up with an interesting counter-argument, he says, pointing out that this is not an official SD proposal or something he has yet to propose.

Nor does he believe claims that more guns among law-abiding Swedes could lead to more injuries or deaths.

– Guns in the ‘right hands’ are never a danger. We have hunters and sport shooters, and these weapons never end up in that kind of situation.

However, even the suggestion that more Swedes should be allowed to carry guns is enough to meet with harsh criticism, and Liberal Party leader Johan Pehrson is among those vociferously opposing the proposal.

– I think it’s bad, we need more police, sharper tools and earlier social intervention. We need fewer guns on our streets among people who should not have guns, not more, he argues.

Fransson further argues that more opportunities for citizens to own firearms would also strengthen Swedish civil defense and make a possible Russian occupation more difficult.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/sharp-increase-in-children-suspected-of-murder-plots-in-sweden/

Sweden

Sharp increase in children suspected of murder plots in Sweden

organized crime

Published today 15:19
– By Editorial Staff
In 2022, 14 children under the age of 15 were suspected of involvement in murder plots. This year, that number has risen to 127.
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The number of minors suspected of planning murders has skyrocketed in a short time, according to new figures from the Swedish Prosecution Authority. More than 120 children under 15 are currently under investigation for planning deadly violence.

At the same time, the Swedish government reports that the fight against gang crime shows some progress – but the development raises concerns.

The government’s initiative against gangs has been a central part of the Tidö Agreement between the governing parties and the Sweden Democrats. Three years after the cooperation began, several sentences have been toughened, the justice system has received increased resources, and police have gained access to new tools.

Despite this, it remains unclear whether organized crime is actually decreasing. However, one clearly positive trend is that the number of shootings has decreased sharply in recent years.

According to police statistics, 314 shootings occurred through September 2022. During the same period this year, the number has dropped to 113. The number of fatal shootings has decreased from 49 to 26 during the corresponding period – excluding the ten people killed in the attack at Risbergska School in Örebro, central Sweden.

Police assess that more violent crimes are being stopped in time thanks to expanded possibilities for secret surveillance and other intelligence methods. More murder investigations are also being solved, according to the authority.

Bombings and arson increase

At the same time, the trend points in the opposite direction regarding bombings and arson attacks. These have increased but rarely lead to fatalities. Recently, many of the bombings have been carried out with powerful pyrotechnics instead of military explosives.

Police also see successes on the international front. So far this year, 183 gang-connected individuals have been arrested abroad – a record figure – of which 35 are classified as so-called priority actors. Despite this, the total circle of gang criminals is not assessed to be decreasing.

According to police’s latest situation report from autumn 2024, around 14,000 people are actively involved in the gang environment and an additional 48,000 have connections to it. When the next report is presented in November, the numbers are expected to rise.

Directing crime from abroad

Police also estimate that approximately 700 gang criminals now operate from abroad – an increase of 100 people since previous calculations.

The most concerning trend, however, involves children and young people. In 2022, 14 children under 15 were suspected of involvement in murder plots. This year, the figure has risen to 127, according to new data from the Swedish Prosecution Authority.

The suspicions mainly concern attempted murder, preparation, conspiracy and aiding and abetting murder, but also nine completed murders and a couple of cases of incitement.

Sprängdåd Uppsala september 2023
Bombings are increasing alarmingly in Sweden (archive image Uppsala, Sep. 2023). Photo: Facsimile/Aftonbladet Play/YT

Children recruiting children

According to the Swedish Ministry of Justice, children are often recruited via social media, where gang criminals post orders for violent acts. A growing trend is also that children themselves recruit other children. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (Moderate Party) believes that crime has not worsened, but that it has changed character.

Criminologist Manne Gerell assesses that the development is largely moving in the right direction: – The best indicator for me is how many people die or are seriously injured, and there we have seen a massive decrease in shootings.

Gerell believes the decrease is mainly due to increased resources for police rather than individual reforms in the Tidö Agreement: – Everything else is small puzzle pieces that individually could hardly have played any role, he says.

Among the measures that have had the least effect, he mentions the visitation zones, which have been used less than expected and have not produced any clear results.

Police simultaneously warn that the level of violence within gangs remains high and that new spirals of violence may arise: – One concern is that hundreds of children and young people who were taken for involvement in these crimes a few years ago will, to a large extent, be back on the streets soon if they aren’t already, says Manne Gerell.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Tidö Agreement and the fight against gang violence – what's coming in 2025/26

  • Legislative proposal on expanded criminal liability for attempted, preparatory, and conspiracy to commit crimes
  • Legislative proposal on new indeterminate prison sentence, security sentence
  • Legislative proposal allowing police to use AI for real-time facial recognition with cameras
  • Legislative proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 13 years for serious crimes
  • Legislative proposal to completely abolish sentence reductions for young people between 18 and 21 years
  • Legislative proposal on reduced sentence reductions for young people aged 15–17 years
  • Stricter rules for conditional release enter into force on January 1
  • Investigation proposal on allowing police to use entrapment
  • Legislative proposal on being able to deport foreign nationals with gang connections
  • Investigation proposal on reversed burden of proof in asset forfeiture cases
  • Investigation on new possibilities for police to intervene in the cyber environment


Examples of legislative proposals from the criminal law review

  • multiple offenses to be assessed more severely
  • sentencing scales for approximately fifty crimes to be tightened
  • less consideration given to mitigating circumstances
  • up to double sentences for crimes linked to gang criminality

Source: Ministry of Justice (Sweden)

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/saab-secures-e50-million-nato-contract-for-spanish-radar-system/

Sweden

Saab secures €50 million NATO contract for Spanish radar system

Published today 14:11
– By Editorial Staff
Arthur is a radar system that locates artillery and provides warning of incoming fire.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Swedish defense company Saab has secured a contract worth almost €50 million from NATO’s procurement organization NSPA to extend the lifespan of Arthur radar systems for the Spanish army.

This marks the first time Saab’s radar systems have been procured through NATO’s purchasing organization.

The contract involves enabling the Spanish army’s artillery locating force to maintain its operational capabilities through modern technology.

The life extension of the systems will provide higher operational mobility and more accurate fire control. The upgrade means more targets can be located at longer distances. The system will also have a smaller signature against electronic warfare sensors, which increases protection for personnel and equipment.

Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s Surveillance business area, comments on the order:

— We are pleased to continue strengthening Spain’s artillery locating capability, which is crucial for warning against hostile artillery as well as directing our own artillery fire. The order is also the first for our radar systems to go through NATO’s procurement organization, which is an important step for us, he says.

Largest in the Nordic region

Saab is by far the largest defense company in the Nordic region with approximately 25,000 employees and manufacturing operations in the United States, Germany, and Brazil, among other countries. In 2023, the company ranked as the world’s 35th largest arms manufacturer.

In addition to its well-known fighter jets, Saab also produces and maintains military command and control systems.

The largest shareholder is the Wallenberg sphere, which through the investment company Investor controls around 30 percent of the capital and 40 percent of the votes. Marcus Wallenberg has been chairman of the board since 2006.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/growing-number-of-swedes-living-in-poverty/

Sweden

Growing number of Swedes living in poverty

Welfare collapse

Published today 12:46
– By Editorial Staff
For the most vulnerable, every day becomes a struggle when the safety net fails.
1 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

An increasing number of Swedes are living in material and social poverty. According to this year’s poverty report from Sweden’s City Missions, poverty in Sweden has nearly doubled since 2021.

Last year, 698,000 Swedes lived in some form of poverty, according to the report. The increase in poverty in Sweden stands out across Europe, particularly in terms of speed – having nearly doubled in four years. Jonas Rydberg, secretary general of Sweden’s City Missions (a charitable organization), believes the rising poverty is largely due to the economic downturn and sharp increases in food prices.

— But what we can show in our report is that it’s also because it’s becoming increasingly difficult to have one’s rights met. For example, financial benefits. They are inaccessible and difficult to obtain, he says in Nyhetsmorgon.

Rydberg notes that many of those seeking help from the city mission don’t receive the general social insurance benefits they’re entitled to, making it significantly harder to manage daily life. Social welfare support, for example, has become more complicated to obtain and the payments are very low.

— It has become increasingly difficult and the ultimate safety net is being eroded in Sweden.

The Swedish government recently presented a welfare reform that involves stricter requirements for social benefits, with the goal of getting more people into work. According to Rydberg, the proposal risks instead pushing more people into poverty.

— It’s difficult and the labor market in Sweden is not accessible, he states.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Definition of poverty among adults in Sweden

An adult is considered poor if they lack the financial means to meet at least five of the following basic needs:

  • Eat protein-rich meals (meat, fish, chicken or vegetarian) every other day
  • Maintain a satisfactory indoor temperature in their home
  • Invite friends and family over or meet them for meals or coffee at least monthly
  • Have access to the internet
  • Manage to regulate loans and pay bills on time
  • Have a small amount available for personal expenses weekly
  • Own at least two pairs of functional shoes suitable for different weather conditions
  • Replace broken or worn-out furniture when needed
  • Participate in leisure activities with some regularity
  • Buy new clothes when the old ones are too worn
  • Handle an unexpected expense of €1,200 (the amount is adjusted periodically)
  • Take a week-long vacation away from home annually
  • Own a personal vehicle

Source: Sveriges stadsmissioner (Swedish City Missions)

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/nearly-200-bombings-in-sweden-this-year-despite-record-high-customs-seizures/

Sweden

Nearly 200 bombings in Sweden this year – despite record-high customs seizures

organized crime

Published today 10:19
– By Editorial Staff
In many cases, the attacks are carried out with hand grenades or illegal fireworks that are smuggled into the country from the Balkans or Eastern Europe.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Sweden has been hit by nearly 200 bombings during 2025. Meanwhile, customs authorities have seized over 42,000 explosive items during the first six months of the year – almost double compared to the entire previous year.

Police now see a clear shift where stolen goods from construction sites have been replaced by smuggled war materiel and illegal fireworks from the Balkans and Eastern Europe.

The bombings continue to shake Sweden. So far this year, the country has been hit by nearly 200 completed or failed bombing attacks, according to information obtained by Stampen-owned Göteborgs-Posten.

But the patterns are changing. Where it was previously most common for criminals to use explosives stolen from construction sites, police now see a new and alarming trend.

— During the summer and autumn, we have primarily seen detonations with hand grenades and with homemade explosive devices, says Malin Nygren, head of the Swedish police’s national bomb data center.

Smuggling increases dramatically

Behind the change lies a sharp increase in smuggling. In many cases, it involves hand grenades or illegal fireworks being brought into the country from the Balkans or Eastern Europe.

The numbers speak for themselves: During the first half of 2025, customs seized over 42,000 explosive items. This is a record figure that almost doubles the just over 24,000 seizures made during all of 2024.

Martin Norell, expert at the Swedish Customs Service (Tullverket), shares the police’s concern about the development.

— I don’t feel that the situation is very bright in Sweden right now, he says.

Children manipulated to carry out the attacks

Behind the grim statistics lies a particularly dark reality: It is often children who are manipulated by criminal networks to carry out the bombing and arson attacks. The young perpetrators have in several cases been seriously injured when handling explosives and flammable liquids, and at least one death has occurred.

Many of the bombings have been carried out with smuggled hand grenades used for both revenge and extortion, and on several occasions unexploded hand grenades have been found in residential areas – or at or near preschools.

Dan Windt, operational coordinator at the Swedish police’s national operations center, urges parents to be vigilant.

— Parents and other important adults need to continue being present in children’s lives both physically and digitally. Ask many questions and ask for help. Contact the social services in your municipality if the child is contacted by criminals, or call the police at an early stage if you suspect that your child is about to commit a crime, so we can prevent it together.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

N

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