The Moderate Party calls for terrorist laws against gang crime among the increase in gun violence
More than 150 people have been killed in more than 1,100 shootings in the past four years in Sweden, according to the Moderate Party. With street shots at an all-time high in the country, the opposition Moderate Party wants to use current anti-terrorism laws to combat gang activity, according to Sputnik. A total of 36 people have been shot dead in Sweden this summer, which forced the liberal-conservative Moderates to make a strong statement.
In his speech in the city of Strängnäs, Moderate leader Ulf Kristersson said that the bloodiest summer in modern Swedish history occurred this year. He added that 36 people have been murdered so far this year, according to the national network SVT. Kristersson promised to put an end to “mollycodling with criminals”, according to Sputnik. He called on the authorities to use existing anti-terrorism laws to prosecute criminal organizations to stop the growing trend of shootings exacerbated by gang fights and drug trafficking. He stated that gang members must be arrested, and criminals will be sentenced to double punishment. He also warned that everyone involved in a criminal gang who is not a Swedish citizen must be deported. According to the Moderate leader, no young person should be forced to grow up in a criminal environment.
Johan Forsell, legal spokesman for the Moderates, described the party’s new anti-gang measure as “far-reaching”. According to Sputnik, the Moderates had stated that there are 5,000 gang members in criminal networks in vulnerable places throughout Sweden. In addition, the party stated that there are over 40 criminal clans, some of which have migrated to Sweden to commit crimes.
Sweden is experiencing increased crime
Unlike most EU countries, Sweden has, according to Sputnik, experienced an increase in violent crime in recent decades and has risen to the top when it comes to annual fatal shootings. The country’s crime prevention council insisted that this was a unique pattern that blames eight out of ten shootings on criminal environments that engage in drug trafficking and other criminal activities. Erik Nord, the commander of the Greater Gothenburg police district, has acknowledged a relationship between mass shootings and immigration, which says that everyone who shoots or is shot in gang disputes comes from the Balkans, the Middle East, North or East Africa.
