Inquiry proposes stripping Swedish citizenship for gang violence

"There are some people who have committed very, very serious crimes that could be terrorism, that could be espionage, that could be gang-related violence and they should not be in Sweden. They should not be Swedish citizens. A person with Swedish citizenship cannot be deported, even if they have citizenship in another country. Revoking citizenship would change that and create entirely new opportunities to deport these individuals."

"The inquiry defined the phrase 'damaging society's vital interests' to include crimes under the Weapons Act, Benefit Fraud Act, Act on Flammable and Explosive Goods, and Money Laundering Penal Act, with those found guilty of such crimes liable to lose their citizenship if found guilty of an offence sufficiently serious to warrant a jail sentence of four years or more."

"Police estimated there were currently 1,400 gang criminals in Sweden with dual citizenship, who would be at risk of being stripped of their citizenship and deported if the law is passed. The people who would be at risk of deportation were people with 'a terrible capacity for violence', who 'lack respect for other people's safety, and challenge very fundamental and important values in our society'."

A Swedish government inquiry proposes stripping dual nationals of citizenship if convicted of weapons crimes, explosives offenses, money laundering, or benefits fraud committed as part of criminal networks. Crimes must warrant sentences of four years or more to qualify. Migration Minister Johan Forssell stated the measure targets individuals involved in terrorism, espionage, and gang violence who should not remain in Sweden. Currently, Swedish citizenship prevents deportation even with dual nationality; revoking it would enable removal of these individuals. Police estimate 1,400 gang criminals with dual citizenship would be affected. The proposed law would take effect January 1, 2028, applying only to crimes committed after implementation, and would exclude those born Swedish citizens under age 18.

Read at www.thelocal.se