https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/swedens-social-democrats-want-to-wiretap-kids/

Sweden

Sweden’s Social Democrats want to wiretap kids

Published 9 September 2024

– By Editorial Staff

Photo: facsimile/SVT

Magdalena Andersson and Erdalan Shekarabi at a press conference.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

In a new statement, Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson says she wants to allow law enforcement to secretly wiretap children under the age of 15 – even if they are not of legal age – on the grounds that children are increasingly being used by criminal gangs to commit serious crimes.

Decades of limitless mass immigration policies have led to the spread of organized crime across large parts of the country, and recently Swedish political parties have competed to propose strict control and surveillance measures to reverse the trend, which critics say the politicians themselves have created.

– We are in an acute and national crisis where children are being used as child soldiers by adults, said the S leader during a press conference, explaining that the proposal would mean that the legislation would have the same possibility of interception regardless of age.

– The exploitation of young people by gangs for serious acts of violence must be stopped and we therefore want to see the possibility of introducing secret coercive measures for young people under the age of 15.

In the past, there has been a desire to protect the integrity of children, she argues – but now, according to Andersson, so much crime is being committed that this argument is no longer considered particularly strong.

– It hasn’t been possible in the past and it’s about protecting children’s privacy, their integrity, but with the development we see today, it has to be weighed against the risk of them being drawn into crime and protecting their lives, she continues.

“Must be introduced”

The possibility for law enforcement agencies to monitor children under the age of 15 is already being investigated and considered by the centre-right government – but S – which has been dragging its feet on the issue, is already stating that the interception must become a reality.

– We are already saying here and now that this must be introduced, Andersson states.

The Social Democrats also want to be inspired by Denmark and introduce so-called youth crime boards.

– Without any age restrictions, you, together with your parents, will meet a judge in a youth crime board. The police should also be present, explains Andersson.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/cleared-in-swedish-court-sami-hunter-may-still-lose-firearm-license/

Sweden

Cleared in Swedish court – Sami hunter may still lose firearm license

Published today 10:12

– By Editorial Staff

Photo: Ghouri1998/iStock

Since the man is acquitted - but the Court of Appeal considers that a (prescribed) hunting offense still took place, Larsson still risks losing his firearms license.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Peter Larsson, from the Maskaure Sami village, acquitted of serious hunting crime charges. Despite this, he may still lose his firearms license.

– I feel incredibly disappointed, he says.

The Court of Appeal for Upper Norrland states in the ruling that Peter Larsson did not use a snowmobile in an unlawful manner during a protective hunt, and that the two bears were also not subjected to unnecessary suffering. Thus, he is fully acquitted of the serious hunting crime he was previously charged with, reports Jakt & Jägare.

At the same time, the court notes deficiencies in communication with the County Administrative Board, as well as the fact that Larsson provided incorrect coordinates for the location where the bear was shot. This is considered a standard-degree hunting offense – but since it is statute-barred, he cannot be convicted for it.

Nevertheless, the consequences could be significant. Since the statute of limitations rules differ for legal entities, the Maskaure Sami village is ordered to pay a corporate fine of SEK 30,000 (€2,700).

– The corporate fine feels so wrong, but at the same time it’s a relief that the legal process is over, comments Larsson.

– It is terrible to be an honest person and be accused of a crime.

The firearms issue may be revisited

The question now is how the Police Authority views Larsson’s firearm ownership, given that the Court of Appeal, despite the acquittal, states that a (statute-barred) hunting offense did occur.

– It’s definitely not to the person’s advantage. If I were the decision-maker, I would take a closer look at this case, says Nils-Olov Gärdin, head of one of the police firearms units.

However, he emphasizes that more circumstances must be considered – including how much time has passed, which could work in Larsson’s favor.

After the district court’s acquittal in December 2023, Peter Larsson requested the return of his confiscated hunting weapons. The police initially said no, citing the prosecutor’s appeal. However, the Court of Administrative Appeals sided with Larsson, and the weapons were returned.

Criticizes the Court of Appeal’s assessment

Attorney Sven Severin, who represented Peter Larsson throughout the legal process, is also critical of the Court of Appeal’s reasoning:

– The court has not taken into account the reality of conducting protective hunts in roadless areas, he says.

He argues that the shortcomings pointed out by the court – such as the incorrect specification of the shooting location – should be considered trivial.

Severin is particularly critical of the fact that the court asserts a crime was committed, without this being stated in the verdict. This makes it impossible to appeal the wording.

– It’s reminiscent of the da Costa case, where two doctors were acquitted of murder but the court still concluded they had dismembered the body – a crime that was statute-barred at the time.

Sven Severin believes that the legal process, which has lasted six years, should now come to an end – including the issue of firearms.

– That the police would act again after all these years, I find inconceivable.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Maskaure case in brief

In May 2019, Maskaure Sami village was granted a protective hunt for bears in Arjeplog. Two bears were killed during the hunt, but shortly afterwards a criminal investigation was launched into a serious hunting offense, which led to the hunters' weapons being confiscated. Two years later, in May 2021, four members of the Sami village were charged. According to the prosecutor, the hunt had been carried out in violation of the guidelines set by the County Administrative Board.

However, when the trial began in October 2022, it was interrupted early after lawyers raised objections and Luleå District Court ruled that there were obstacles to the trial. It was not until November 2023 that a new trial could be held.

A month later, in December 2023, all four people were acquitted by the district court. Despite this, the prosecutor chose to appeal the verdict against the chairman of the Sami village, Peter Larsson, while the other three were given their weapons back.

November 2024 also saw the return of the weapons.

In November 2024, Larsson also got his weapons back. In April 2025, the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment, acquitting Larsson. However, the Sami village was ordered to pay a corporate fine of SEK 30,000 (€2,700).

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/us-calls-on-city-of-stockholm-to-end-left-liberal-activism/

Sweden

US calls on City of Stockholm to end left-liberal activism

Donald Trump's USA

Published yesterday 14:14

– By Editorial Staff

Photo: Alexander Farnsworth/iStock

A continued focus on "diversity work" is a top priority for Stockholm's leaders - and they won't listen to the Americans' demands.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The US Embassy is demanding that the Stockholm City Planning Office sign a contract committing to immediately stop engaging in left-liberal activism in the form of DEI initiatives on “diversity, inclusion and equality”.

– It’s completely bizarre, says City Planning Councilor Jan Valeskog (S).

Speaking on Swedish state radio SR, he insists that “values such as diversity and gender equality are very important to the City of Stockholm” and that there are no plans to deviate from this line.

The embassy notes that under the Trump administration, a new policy has been introduced whereby all parties from whom the US government purchases goods or services must sign the contract in question, and that the Stockholm City Planning Office has ten days to do so.

– We are absolutely not going to do that, it is contrary to everything we stand for. They should withdraw these absurdities, continues a visibly upset Valeskog in the Bonnier newspaper Dagens Nyheter.

He argues that it is the embassy that is dependent on the city of Stockholm – not the other way around, and that the Americans themselves will suffer the most if the contract is terminated.

“Their headache”

– If the US terminates its relationship with the city planning office, the embassy will have a hard time getting building permits if they want to rebuild, for example. That’s their headache, not ours.

It’s not just the City of Stockholm that has been sent these contracts and accompanying requirements The policy has been introduced on a global scale – and those who don’t sign up risk losing their contracts.

At the same time, there has also been some confusion about what the Americans are really after.

Just over a month ago, the US embassy in Sweden stated that the requirements only applied to companies “controlled by a US employer and employing US citizens”.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

What is DEI?

DEI stands for "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion". It is an umbrella term for various initiatives and initiatives aimed at quotas or otherwise favoring different minorities in, for example, working life and education.

Critics, however, argue that DEI is based on a left-wing ideological worldview rather than on proven methodology. There are also concerns that focusing on sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity or religion rather than skills risks undermining the meritocracy and that DEI initiatives are used to discriminate against white people.

Several studies also indicate that DEI training programs have almost no or even counterproductive effects. As these programs have become more widespread, the backlash has grown, particularly in the United States, where some universities have begun to phase them out.

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/swedish-government-replaces-us-aid-with-millions-for-soros-funded-media/

Sweden

Swedish government replaces US aid with millions for Soros-funded media

Published 6 May 2025

– By Editorial Staff

Photo: Government Offices of Sweden/Niklas Forsström

Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson together with Minister for International Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa (M).

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Swedish taxpayers will now have to cover the funding shortfall that arose when the US withdrew its aid to the international journalism group OCCRP – Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

The government has announced that it will provide SEK 70 million (€6.4 million) in new support to the network, which was previously funded largely by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and has also received millions from George Soros’ notorious Open Society Foundations and the CIA-linked National Endowment for Democracy.

The Swedish aid is officially justified by the desire to “strengthen freedom of expression and democracy” in repressive environments. Critics, however, argue that the initiative is completely irrelevant to Swedish taxpayers and that the support is rather an expression of the Swedish government’s ideological and geopolitical loyalties

– Strengthening freedom of expression and democracy is an important part of the government’s reform agenda for aid. Support for OCCRP is part of this work, asserts Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Benjamin Dousa (M) in a press release.

The OCCRP, which describes itself as a network for investigative journalism, is particularly active in Eastern Europe, especially in Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the organization’s work has contributed to the development of analysis and background information for Western sanctions against Russia. When US aid via USAID was suspended – according to previous information, amounting to over a third of the OCCRP’s total budget—the organization’s activities were hit hard.

Now Sweden is stepping in to cover a large part of the shortfall. The government’s press release states that it wants to “continue to support human rights and democratic forces such as independent media in vulnerable environments as a central part of Sweden’s long-term democracy support”, especially in countries that are “constantly exposed to Russian disinformation campaigns and other attempts to influence”.

Destabilization and propaganda

However, the fact that Swedish tax money is now replacing US cuts in support for a globally active NGO with clear links to George Soros and American influence campaigns has led to criticism and questions about the priorities of Swedish aid policy – and has been highlighted by establishment-critical media.

The criticism is not just about the amount. OCCRP’s close ties to both the US propaganda apparatus and Soros’ Open Society Foundations have led several observers to question its impartiality. The organization has received significant sums from, among others, USAID, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and other US government agencies with stated foreign policy ambitions.

Both the Soros networks and the US intelligence services have also been accused of systematically using propaganda media to destabilize countries, reduce public confidence in political leaders they want to remove, and try to lobby for systemic change in a more globalist and US-friendly direction.

Billions for “democracy and human rights”

Support for the OCCRP is no exception, but part of a larger trend. According to the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ own figures, Sweden is currently the world’s third largest donor of aid to foreign “free and independent media”. In total, support for “democracy and human rights” amounted to SEK 6.6 billion (€600 million) in 2024 – equivalent to a quarter of Sweden’s entire foreign aid budget. In addition, there is further Swedish tax money distributed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs – often to organizations with links to the UN

In the same year, the government also decided to increase funding for other related organizations, such as the European Endowment for Democracy and the Prague Civil Society Center. The former’s support increased from SEK 20 million (€1.8 million) to SEK 35 million (€3.2 million), while the latter’s was doubled.

Although politicians are keen to point out the importance of promoting press freedom in allegedly authoritarian states, critics argue that it is highly questionable whether Swedish taxpayers’ money should be used to finance this type of politically charged activity far beyond Sweden’s borders – and further question how it will be possible to determine in retrospect whether the initiative has produced the desired results.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/criminal-networks-plunder-sweden-economic-crime-authority-warns-of-collapse/

Sweden

Criminal networks plunder Sweden – Economic Crime Authority warns of collapse

organized crime

Published 6 May 2025

– By Editorial Staff

Montage. Photo: Swedish Economic Crime Authority, iStock

According to Jermsten, "the basic functions of society" are now threatened by the rise of organized crime.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Organized economic crime is growing rapidly in Sweden. According to the Swedish Economic Crime Authority’s new Director General Rikard Jermsten, the criminal economy amounts to more than SEK 150 billion (€13,5 billion) – every year, and is today considered a systemic threat.

– It’s worse than I thought. We as a society are financing the crime that we are supposed to fight, he says.

In its latest situation report, the Swedish Economic Crime Authority describes a development where crimes are becoming increasingly complex and extensive – and where profits are increasing sharply. Money laundering through advanced corporate arrangements is identified as a central part of the gang criminal economy.

– In the past, the criminal profits in our investigations could amount to tens of millions of SEK. Today, we see profits well over 100 million in individual cases, explains Jermsten.

Particularly at risk are welfare systems, where criminal networks plunder public resources through fake companies, scam invoices and identity theft. But banks, pension systems and large construction and infrastructure projects have also become targets for organized crime.

“Threatening the basic functions of society”

The often quoted figure that the criminal economy in Sweden has a turnover of SEK 150 billion (€13,5 billion) – is probably underestimated, according to Jermsten.

“Economic crime is growing in scope and threatens the basic functions of society. It undermines trust in the state, weakens public finances and damages welfare systems“, the agency states in its report.

Jermsten describes the consequences as twofold: on the one hand, society loses tax revenue that would have gone to health, education and social care – and on the other hand, the money is used instead to finance other crime. If crime becomes too widespread, he also believes that honest citizens will be less willing to pay taxes.

– When criminals steal tax money from the state, we all lose out. At the same time, competition in the business world is distorted, with serious long-term consequences.

No quick fixes

There are no quick fixes, according to the agency. But to strengthen resilience, it wants to see several measures: making it harder to start or take over companies for criminal purposes, easier to control company representatives, and harder to exploit other people’s identities.

Public procurement must also be tightened up to keep organised crime out, and the supervisory authorities’ control functions need to be strengthened. The Economic Crime Authority also proposes tougher penalties for economic crime in general.

– The development is going in the wrong direction. The whole of society now needs to build up its resilience, says Rikard Jermsten.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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