Judicial system

On 26 November, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed two bilateral agreements – one on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and one on extradition. This is to strengthen the cooperation to combat organised crime and reduce criminals’ to carry out criminal activities in our respective countries.

Brochure in pdf format presenting the Government’s national strategy Barriärer mot brott (Barriers to crime).

More and more children and young people are becoming involved in criminal networks, and stopping recruitment requires early interventions, knowledge-based methods and collaboration. Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer and Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall therefore hosted Nordic countries, including the autonomous regions, for a discussion about children and young people who are, or risk being, involved in crime. The meeting was held within the framework of the ongoing Swedish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

To combat crime and increase security, investments in the judicial system and criminal law measures must be combined with effective and proactive crime prevention efforts. The Government has therefore presented a national strategy that focuses on social crime prevention measures. The aim includes preventing children and young people from becoming involved in criminal networks and other types of crime.

Gang criminality and other forms of serious crime are major societal problems in both Sweden and France. Together, Sweden and France are now intensifying their efforts in the fight against organised crime. A new agreement will present new possibilities for closer cooperation in several areas.

The Swedish Government has adopted Sweden’s first comprehensive national strategy against organised crime. The strategy serves as a direction for the work against organised crime, with the purpose to reduce vulnerabilities exploited by criminals. The national strategy presents priorities and identifies central actors.

In a referral to the Council on Legislation, the Government proposes amending the legislation on Swedish citizenship. The proposals entail stricter requirements on acquisition of Swedish citizenship by notification and better protection for children and adults in vulnerable situations. 

The Government today decided to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation regarding amendments necessary for Sweden to able to take part in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).

Simplistic and occasionally inaccurate information about migration, integration and crime in Sweden is sometimes disseminated. Here, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs looks at some common claims.

The Inquiry on anonymous witness testimony has presented its interim report to Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer. In its report, the Inquiry proposes introducing a system of anonymous witness testimony in criminal cases.

Video surveillance is effective in preventing crime, is a valuable tool in criminal investigations and can be used to stop crimes while they are in progress. In light of the recent wave of violence, the Government has presented a new video surveillance offensive that will allow the Swedish Police Authority to make better use of facial recognition and automatic number plate recognition technologies and direct access to traffic cameras.

The Government has received the report ‘Who owns the property’ (Vem äger fastigheten). In the report, the Inquiry proposes measures aimed at preventing the Swedish property market from being exploited for crime and countering fraudulent conveyance of rental properties.

Sweden is facing a deteriorating security situation, with an increased threat of attacks by terrorists and violent extremists. This situation requires additional measures, not least in efforts to prevent radicalisation and violent extremism. The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention will therefore be tasked with enhancing collaboration between government agencies and other relevant actors to prevent radicalisation and the spread of violent extremism. This assignment will be carried out as part of the activities of the Council’s Swedish Centre for Preventing Violent Extremism.

The Swedish Security Service has raised the terrorist threat level from level 3 (‘elevated’) to level 4 (‘high’) on a 5-level scale. In light of the deteriorating security situation, the Government is working intensively and constantly to take the necessary measures.

The Government has decided to appoint an Inquiry Chair to examine whether Sweden’s security could be considered when examining permit applications and setting conditions for public gatherings under the Public Order Act.

Due to the serious security situation, there is greater need for control over who is attempting to enter Sweden and for what purposes. The Government has therefore decided to expand the mandate of the Police to intensify internal border control. This was announced at a press conference yesterday by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer.

The reactions following the burning of copies of the Quran have led to a deteriorating security situation. The Government has therefore decided to task several government agencies with strengthening Sweden’s ability to prevent, avert and impede terrorism and violent extremism.

Every child and young person has the right to a safe, secure and bright future, to be properly cared for and to grow up in a home free from violence.

The Government has decided to refer proposals to the Council on Legislation. Under these proposals, it would be possible to withdraw a residence permit if it can be assumed that the person will carry out state-sponsored corporate espionage or activities related to terrorism.

Today, the Govern­ment proposed that participation in – and financing partici­pation in – a terrorist organisation should be a punish­able offence. This means that Sweden will have a new powerful tool to combat terrorism.