Tougher penalties for crime in criminal networks
Published:
The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government's proposal to impose tougher penalties for crimes committed within criminal networks and in disputes between criminal gangs. The purpose of the legislative amendments is to underline the gravity of this kind of crime and to give the judiciary extended opportunities to combat gang-related crime.
Tougher penalties are being introduced, for example, for unlawful coercion, unlawful threats, robbery and extortion. Tougher penalties will also be introduced for drug offences relating to sale, and ordering narcotic drugs for personal use will be criminalised as an attempted offence.
Involving people under the age of 18 in crimes or criminal activities will be a punishable offence. In addition, a new kind of provision on tougher penalties will be introduced concerning violent disputes among criminals.
The presumption for a detention order will apply to suspected crime with a minimum penalty of imprisonment of one year and six months or more, compared to the current minimum penalty of imprisonment of two years or more.
The amendments will come into force on 1 July 2023.