Sweden Accelerates Legislation on Monitoring Minors to Combat Gang Bombings
Stockholm has experienced more than 30 bomb blasts since the beginning of the year, highlighting the ongoing issue of gang violence in Sweden.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced plans to expedite new legislation allowing electronic surveillance of minors following a series of gang-related bombings in Stockholm this month.
Gang violence in Sweden has escalated dramatically over the past two decades, with the country recording the highest level of fatal gun violence per capita in Europe in 2023.
The recent surge in bombings, exceeding 30 since the start of 2025, particularly in the Stockholm area, has prompted the government to take action.
According to police, most of these bomb attacks are acts of extortion by gangs targeting companies and individuals.
Prime Minister Kristersson expressed concern over the wave of violence, stating that the government lacks control over the situation.
Despite causing damage to buildings and some injuries, the January bombings have not resulted in any fatalities.
Residents in certain areas of south Stockholm have been advised by police to stay indoors due to the frequency of these incidents.
Gangs have utilized social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to recruit young individuals for carrying out attacks, the police revealed.
The government plans to introduce legislation allowing authorities to search phones and conduct electronic surveillance on individuals under the age of 15 to address this issue.
Furthermore, a government-appointed commission proposed the possibility of sending criminals abroad to serve their sentences due to the influx of inmates arrested for gang violence.
Sweden’s justice minister mentioned ongoing discussions about renting prison space in foreign countries.
Courts in 2023 handed out sentences totaling nearly 200,000 months, indicating a significant increase compared to previous years.
The Prison and Probation Service in Sweden projects a need for around 27,000 beds by 2033, up from the current 11,000.
Stockholm is also considering amending its constitution to allow the revocation of Swedish citizenship from dual citizens deemed a “threat to the state.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
