URGENT UPDATE: Teenage girls are increasingly being recruited as hitwomen in Sweden’s escalating organized crime wars, with dire implications for public safety. Prosecutors confirm that girls as young as 15 years old are taking on deadly roles, aiming to prove their ruthlessness in a male-dominated underworld.
On Tuesday, Stockholm prosecutor Ida Arnell revealed a shocking case involving a 15-year-old girl who was recruited to commit a murder. She was given the option to shoot the victim in the head or at his door and chose the head. This girl was arrested alongside a 17-year-old male accomplice who pulled the trigger, leaving the victim severely injured.
Authorities report that 280 girls aged between 15 and 17 were charged with murder, manslaughter, or other violent crimes last year. While it’s unclear how many are directly linked to organized crime, experts warn that the involvement of young women in these networks has been overlooked for years, putting them at grave risk.
The rise of violent crime in Sweden has transformed the nation, once known for its low crime rates, into a battlefield for gangs engaged in drug and arms trafficking, welfare fraud, and human trafficking. The government now labels these groups as a “systemic threat” to society.
Prosecutor Arnell noted that young girls feel pressured to prove they are tougher than their male counterparts, often seeking out roles in crime through encrypted messaging apps. “In general, the young kids are thirsty for blood on these chats,” she stated, highlighting a concerning trend among teenagers recruited to do the gangs’ dirty work.
The situation has reached a critical point, as organized crime groups continue to expand their influence. They have even infiltrated Sweden’s welfare sector and local politics. Police indicate that gang leaders often orchestrate operations from abroad, using intermediaries to carry out their violent vendettas.
Sweden’s Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer recently acknowledged the complexity of the issue, stating, “Girls are often identified as victims… but their participation in criminal circles is much more widespread than what we have long assumed.” He admitted that preconceived notions about female involvement in crime can hinder both recognition of their criminality and their need for assistance.
The National Council for Crime Prevention is currently conducting a comprehensive study on the nature of crimes committed by girls and women, with findings expected in October 2023. This research aims to clarify the dual role these young women play as both facilitators of criminal activities and victims of violence.
A report by the KSAN umbrella organization reveals a troubling connection between crime and trauma among young women. Many involved in the drug trade suffer from addiction and untreated psychological issues. The report indicates that two-thirds of girls committing drug-related crimes have also experienced sexual violence.
One striking case is that of Natalie Klockars, who began her criminal career dealing drugs at just 19 years old, initially to support her own addiction. She quickly amassed over 300 clients, eventually reaching 900. Her success, however, came at a high cost.
Natalie recounted a terrifying experience when she refused to collect drugs, leading to an armed confrontation with young men. “I knew this was not the life I wanted to give my daughter,” she stated, highlighting the emotional toll of her criminal past. Upon the birth of her daughter, she chose to leave that world behind.
As Sweden grapples with this alarming trend, the urgency to address the involvement of young women in organized crime is clear. Authorities and experts are calling for immediate action to protect these vulnerable individuals and to dismantle the networks that exploit them.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
