In Sweden, criminal gangs are becoming increasingly brutal, and their members - younger and younger. Footage recently appeared on social media from a dormitory in the western part of the country, where members of such criminal groups are mainly housed. The video also shows a minor who is serving a four-year sentence for murder.
Psychologist Stefan Fielklang is tasked with preparing young criminals for their return to society after they have served their sentences. He says that education and sessions with a psychologist can help. He has registered increasing gang activity - the crimes committed by their members are increasingly brutal. And this makes his job and that of his colleagues increasingly difficult.
They are attacked outside with tempting offers
“When they get out of here, they are attacked again with offers that can make tens of thousands of euros. The gangs know how to lure these children“, teacher Kristin Eriksson tells DW.
Swedish law has so far provided for lighter sentences for minors if, for example, a 15-year-old commits a serious crime. But now that will change. That is why gangs have already started recruiting even younger criminals, Fielklang explains.
Swedish authorities are trying to combat this dangerous trend. Official statistics show that last year 120 children under the age of 15 committed or participated in the commission of murders. In just two years, their number has quadrupled.
Minors are recruited via the Internet
Emeli Olsson is a police officer in the town of Karlskoga in central Sweden. There, literally at the last minute, an attempt was uncovered to hire two children - 11 and 13 years old respectively - to commit a contract killing.
“In our country, minors are recruited by gangs via online platforms. We try to identify children at risk in a timely manner - for example, if someone admires the lifestyle of members of these criminal groups, this is a worrying sign for us“, says Olsson.
A report by the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation showed how unscrupulous the gangs are. Its reporter introduced herself online as a 14-year-old girl who was supposedly looking for a job. And the offers immediately popped up:
„In Stockholm, a man must be liquidated“;
„7,000 euros for blowing up a door in Malmö“;
„Explosion in Stockholm“;
„Wait in the apartment. I'll tell you when to kill him“.
In Karlskoga, there are also quite a few attempts to recruit minors. A 14-year-old boy told DW how this works: „At first they present things as if they want to help you. But then they say you have to do something for them. That's why I told my father.“
Increased police presence and changes in laws
According to the Swedish government, gang leaders operate from safe havens abroad. The authorities are determined to increase the police presence in large cities and tighten laws for minors.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that it is now possible to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 14. This means that criminals as young as 14 will now be sent to prison. Kristin Eriksson believes this is the wrong approach.
“Now they have the opportunity to continue their education, they can also learn a profession. "There are even cases where minors in detention centers don't want to leave because they're afraid of life outside," the teacher says.
Sweden seeks answers
Her colleague and psychologist Stefan Fielklang says that sometimes the families of these young people are also threatened. "And then they realize that making 'quick money' isn't such a good idea after all," he adds. Sweden continues to search for answers to the growing gang violence. And to the dilemma of children becoming murderers.
Author: Gunnar Köhne