By: V4 Agency
As Sweden witnesses unprecedented levels of violence, gang wars and record-high fatal shootings, some politicians propose the use of the military to end gang violence committed by individuals of migrant background.
The Swedish National Crime Prevention Council (Bra) has issued several reports recently showing an alarming increase in violence, fatal shootings and gang wars in the country.
In Bra’s report put out in April, 2020 was the most violent year in the council’s history. The report revealed that the highest number of murders and negligent manslaughters recorded in the last 18 years took place last year. The increase in crime, according to the report, is attributed to the economic difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic and rising unemployment.
The report also points out that the escalation in crime is not generalised across the country as a whole, but is localised to especially “vulnerable areas”. Armed assaults have risen significantly in the suburbs, where standing gang wars rage in multiple localities.
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Another report from Bra examined the development of violent crime in Sweden between 2000 and 2019 compared to that in 22 other European countries and concluded that Sweden had the highest number of fatal shootings in Europe.
Although the authors of the report say the cause of the growth is not clear, they do point out that most shootings in criminal circles take place in so-called “vulnerable areas” and are often linked to drug trafficking and gang wars.
The escalation of gang wars and violent clashes recently plaguing Hjallbo, a suburb of Gothenburg, led Sweden’s largest opposition party, the liberal-conservative Moderate Party, to call for the army to help with police staff shortages and underfunding.
Hampus Magnusson, an adviser to the Gothenburg municipality, told the Dagens Samhalle newspaper that the police are under enormous pressure and are often at a disadvantage, but could be supported by the military in several tasks.
Currently, Swedish laws do not allow the military to be mobilised and deployed in operations that “carry the risk of using violence or coercion against individuals”. Therefore, the Moderate Party proposes a change to legislation.
Magnusson’s proposal was also backed by his party colleague, Axel Josefson, chairman of Gothenburg’s municipality council.
This is one way to help the acute police staff shortage that Sweden currently faces, Josefson told the Expressen.
The military could help the police under the supervision of the police, he added.
Mr Magnusson claimed that what is happening now in Sweden, is an under-manned police force and that officers are often being threatened and attacked, is
“domestic terrorism of our time.”
He believes that deploying the army is a means to “reclaim” the country.
In the spring, the Gothenburg police chief clearly linked armed conflicts to cultural factors and stated that “almost everyone involved in these shootings is originally from the Balkans, the Middle East, North or East Africa.”
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