Sweden mulls revoking citizenship of dual national gang members

STOCKHOLM: Sweden´s government said on Monday it was looking into ways of revoking citizenship of dual nationals convicted in organised crime and gang cases.

“It should be possible to withdraw citizenship over crimes that occur within the framework of criminal networks and which seriously harm the state´s vital interests,” Migration Minister Johan Forssell told reporters.

The Scandinavian country, once known for its low crime rates, has struggled for years to rein in organised crime. Criminal networks are involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, weapons trade and welfare fraud, with regular shootings and bombings across the country in recent years.

The gangs are also reported to have infiltrated Sweden´s welfare sector, local politics, legal and education system and juvenile detention care. The government said around 1,100 people linked to criminal gangs in Sweden hold dual nationality, citing data from the police.

The centre-right government, backed in parliament by the far-right Sweden Democrats, previously launched a review to see if it would be possible to revoke citizenship and expel people under certain specific circumstances.

A first review presented on January 15 concluded that Sweden should be able to withdraw citizenship from a dual national if the person obtained it by fraudulent means, such as providing false or incomplete information.