Sweden’s Fight Against Organized Crime: A Complex Web of Challenges

As the world grapples with the menace of organized crime, Sweden finds itself at the crossroads of international criminal networks and domestic challenges. With its strong legal framework and membership in several anti-corruption conventions, the country is committed to maintaining national and regional security.

Legislative Deficiencies

Experts point out that Sweden’s legal system has significant deficiencies. The lack of laws addressing racketeering, corruption, and identity protection for witnesses leaves loopholes for criminals to exploit. Moreover, the penal code only criminalizes acts by individuals, making it difficult to prosecute companies involved in illegal activities.

Low criminal sentences
Limited experience in dealing with serious organized crime

Judicial Capacity and Prison System Strains

Sweden’s law enforcement and judiciary bodies are understaffed, contributing to a decline in public trust in the police. Efforts are being made to expand judicial capacity, but the shortage of space in the prison system remains a pressing concern.

Understaffed law enforcement and judiciary bodies
Decline in public trust in the police

Border Control and Cybersecurity

Sweden’s control of its borders is relatively corruption-free, thanks to its membership in the Schengen Area. However, the country faces challenges in controlling illicit trafficking activities due to the large border areas with neighboring countries.

Large border areas with neighboring countries
High-income economy, advanced technological infrastructure, and large-scale urbanization make it more prone to cybercrime

Economic and Financial Environment

Sweden is highly resilient against money laundering and terrorist financing. The country complies with all relevant EU anti-money laundering directives and has a legal framework in place that requires identification and review of clients, as well as monitoring of ongoing mandates and separate transactions.

Highly resilient against money laundering and terrorist financing
Strong legal framework to prevent fraud and money laundering

Victim support is not a primary focus in Sweden, with serious shortcomings in the government’s approach to supporting people with drug problems. The country has one of the highest proportions of overdose deaths in Europe.

Serious shortcomings in victim support
High proportion of overdose deaths in Europe

Will to Combat Organized Crime

Politically, the will to combat organized crime is high, despite the legislation still falling short. New national initiatives aim to address the issue of children and adolescents who commit crimes, as well as the drug trade, prevention of violence, economic crime, and cybercrime.

High political will to combat organized crime
National initiatives to address various aspects of organized crime

Civil Society and Media

Civil society in Sweden is free to operate, with local and international NGOs actively supporting crime victims and promoting developments in crime prevention. Media independence is also highly regarded, with a media ombudsman addressing complaints and ethical issues.

Free civil society
Highly regarded media independence

Despite these challenges, Sweden ranks highly in terms of media independence, and efforts are being made to strengthen its fight against organized crime.