The number of people under the age of 15 who commit murder, attempted murder and other serious crimes is increasing in Sweden. Despite the fact that the court has found that the children committed the crimes in question, they risk no punishment at all under current legislation.
Just over a year ago, a new law was introduced that allows prosecutors to gather evidence on their own initiative against minors suspected of serious crimes, reports the tax-funded SVT.
In short, this means that in cases of particularly serious crimes, the prosecutor can ask a court to examine the question of guilt and decide whether the young person committed the crime or not, even if no punishment can be imposed because of the offender’s young age.
Since the amendment was introduced, 21 children have been prosecuted in 19 different cases. Of the 14 convictions so far, it is clear in 13 cases that the children committed these crimes. Many have also been the subject of police or school reports of concern and have been known to social services for some time.
– This reflects the trend we are seeing, that the perpetrators are getting younger and younger. We are also arresting more people today and this is reflected in the statistics, says Hanna Paradis, former head of command at the police’s national operations department, Noa.
“Adds another cost”
These are also very serious crimes – half of the cases involve murder, attempted murder or preparation of murder, but because the perpetrators were under the age of 15, no punishment can be imposed; instead, social services decide what measures to take.
Prosecutor Lisa Dos Santos is critical of the way the system works today, with costly and time-consuming legal proceedings that still do not result in criminal charges.
– What makes the difference is that it adds another cost to run this type of investigation with a trial process. But the penalties for children under the age of 15 have not been changed, the consequences are the same, says Lisa Dos Santos, prosecutor.
