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Saturday, July 26, 2025

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This article was published 2 years ago

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/swedish-shootings-cautionary-tale-in-un-report/

Sweden

Swedish shootings cautionary tale in UN report

Deteriorating safety

Published 17 December 2023
– By Editorial Staff
Genre image - Swedish police van.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The latest UN report on lethal violence notes that some 458,000 people were murdered around the world last year. The report also highlights Sweden and its many gang-related shootings as a European horror story.

“Sweden has experienced unprecedented levels of gang violence and firearm-related deaths in recent years”, the report states.

In the international report, Sweden has its own fact box. It notes that the number of murders with firearms has risen sharply in recent years and that Sweden has a very high European level of fatal shootings.

“Sweden has experienced unprecedented levels of gang violence and firearm-related deaths in recent years. There were 391 shootings in Sweden, 63 of which were fatal in 2022. The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention reported that Sweden had among the highest levels of firearm-related deaths in a study of over 20 European countries”, the report states.

The report was prepared by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Photo: facsimile/UNODC

“This increase in the number of firearm homicides is related to criminal milieux in socially disadvantaged areas in the country. About 8 out of 10 homicides in Sweden occur in criminal milieux. Moreover, a significant share of all reported homicides is committed by young males aged 20–29. Another possible contributing factor is something called the ‘social contagion effect’, when one shooting leads to another”, it notes.

Gangs and drug trafficking

It points out that the rising number of murders is thought to be linked to criminal gangs and illegal drug markets, but that Sweden does not officially provide estimates of the proportion of reported murders that can be linked to gang crime.

“In Northern Europe, for example, the homicide rate in relation to all the different homicide mechanisms has gone down since 2016, with the exception of the rate of homicide perpetrated with a firearm, which has remained at the same level. This does not apply to Sweden, however, where the number of homicides perpetrated with a firearm has increased threefold since 2010. A study conducted by the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention has shown that the illegal gun market has become easier to access and that the availability of guns has been associated with violence within the criminal milieu”, it says.

Outdated data

It can also be mentioned that the report is based on data from 2021 and 2022, so the high number of fatal shootings in the Stockholm area last year are not included. In the next report, the statistics for Sweden will likely be even bleaker.

– The report will have to address changes in trends. At the same time, international interest in developments in Sweden is quite high. Put simply, if it happens in Sweden, it can happen anywhere… Sweden is a country with strong institutions and a strong welfare state. Then you want to learn from what happens here so that you don’t get the same development in your own countries, Amir Rostami, professor of criminology, commented the report in an interview with GP.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/only-one-ambulance-on-duty-in-central-stockholm/

Sweden

Only one ambulance on duty in central Stockholm

Deteriorating safety

Published 24 July 2025
– By Editorial Staff
"I would say it has never been as bad as it is now, not even during the pandemic", according to the chief safety representative for ambulance services.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

On Tuesday evening, only one ambulance was on duty in central Stockholm, Sweden. The cause is staff shortage. Now the opposition demands that the red-green regional council produce a crisis plan.

At the city station in Stockholm, there are normally four ambulances, but during the week only one of these was in service. According to Emil Skoglund, chief safety representative for ambulance services in Stockholm, the situation is the worst ever.

— We receive between 30 to 40 text messages daily about vacant shifts. We have parked vehicles everywhere. I would say it has never been as bad as it is now, not even during the pandemic, he tells the Schibsted-owned tabloid Aftonbladet.

Skoglund warns that the staff shortage poses a direct threat to Stockholm residents’ safety and that there is a risk that seriously injured or ill people will not receive ambulance service in time. He points to changed working conditions and drastically reduced starting salaries as the main causes.

Emil Skoglund is chief safety representative for ambulance services in Stockholm. Photo: private

Operations manager downplays the crisis

Jani Sundqvist, operations manager for AISAB which is responsible for ambulance services in Stockholm region, has a less dramatic view of the situation. He refers to the system of “borderless dispatch” which means that ambulances from other stations can provide coverage.

— It’s not the case that the area covered by the city station only has one vehicle, explains Sundqvist, who hopes that a new collective agreement this autumn will improve the situation.

Opposition demands crisis plan

The Moderate Party’s opposition regional councilor Kristoffer Tamsons is harshly critical.

— It is completely unacceptable that Sweden’s capital finds itself in a situation where one ambulance is supposed to serve hundreds of people. It is a threat to people’s lives and health, he says.

The Moderate Party demands that regional councilor Talla Alkurdi (Social Democrat) convene the regional board to produce a crisis plan. On Wednesday morning, Alkurdi held a crisis meeting with the Swedish Association of Health Professionals Stockholm.

Stockholm Region is governed by a coalition between the Social Democrats, Centre Party and Green Party, with support from the Left Party.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/five-explosions-reported-in-malmo-over-the-past-week/

Sweden

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
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/sweden-over-900-convicted-individuals-evade-prison-sentences/

Sweden

Sweden: Over 900 convicted individuals evade prison sentences

Deteriorating safety

Published 15 July 2025
– By Editorial Staff
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/former-swedish-politician-convicted-of-sexual-harassment-of-minor-avoids-prison/

Sweden

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
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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.

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