Sweden, known for its high levels of gun violence in Europe, is now grappling with a chilling phenomenon: children being recruited by criminal gangs to carry out contract killings. Between January and August 2023, murder cases involving minors surged from 31 to 102, marking a dangerous escalation.
Recruiters reportedly lure vulnerable children, some as young as 11, through social media platforms like Snapchat and Telegram. These platforms host group chats with names such as “bombing today,” where potential recruits are offered up to £13,000 to commit murder.
Speaking on the issue, Erik Lindblad, head of the police gang task force, described the grim reality as “the new normal,” noting that many young recruits are tasked with killing the family members of rival gangsters.
A National Crisis
This surge in youth involvement has deepened concerns about Sweden’s ongoing struggle with gang-related violence. Criminal networks continue to exploit social media, using encrypted platforms like Telegram to organize illegal activities and avoid detection.
Efforts to address this growing issue include intensified police crackdowns, but authorities acknowledge that the recruitment of children adds a devastating new layer to Sweden’s gang crisis.
This development highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to protect vulnerable children from falling prey to criminal networks.
