Fredrik Karrholm

Fredrik Karrholm is a member of the Swedish parliament and the author of Gangster Violence.

Friday

Fredrik Karrholm

Why Sweden is cracking down on citizenship

From our UK edition

The Swedish government is proposing a constitutional amendment that would make it possible to revoke the citizenship of certain individuals. Those who obtained their citizenship through fraudulent means, or who pose a threat to the state, could now face being stripped of their passport. This is one of many measures which are defining Sweden’s pragmatic shift away from radical idealism. In contrast to Denmark, the Netherlands, France, and Britain, there has – until now – been no circumstance that would allow someone’s Swedish citizenship to be cancelled. Not even the worst terrorists involved in appalling crimes at the Islamic State’s zenith could lose their passports.

Tuesday

Fredrik Karrholm

Why Sweden is cracking down on cousin marriages

From our UK edition

In Sweden, marrying your first cousin has long been legal, though as in the UK it is widely frowned upon. Yet in response to the growing number of cousin marriages in Sweden after a rise in migration, the government has announced plans to ban the practice next year. A Bill is currently being drafted. In Norway, a ban on cousin marriage was adopted this summer. Denmark may soon follow in the footsteps of its Nordic neighbours. Despite cousin marriage being a well-known issue, for too long any debate on this subject has been shamefully sidelined The reason for the move is the same in all the Nordic countries; within certain large immigrant communities, the practice of cousin marriage remains common.

Thursday

Fredrik Karrholm

Child gangsters: the new Swedish model

From our UK edition

Stockholm There were 149 bomb attacks in Sweden last year. Though warring gangs are for the most part responsible, ordinary people are increasingly caught in the crossfire. The violence is brutal and ruthless, something I’ve witnessed up close as a police officer in Stockholm and have also analysed as a criminologist. Last year, 28 innocent citizens died or were seriously injured in bombings and shootings. Our country has gone from the bottom of Europe’s gun-crime league tables to the top and it prompts an obvious question: why has this happened in Sweden and why now? One of the most dismal elements of the epidemic of violence is how often it involves children. Gunnar Strommer, the justice minister, has explained: ‘Criminal networks recruit ten-, 11-year-olds.