Sweden’s government has proposed constitutional amendments that would allow the state to revoke the citizenship of certain criminal gang leaders, as part of broader efforts to address long-standing organized crime and gang-related violence.
Earlier this year, a cross-party parliamentary committee recommended limited changes to the constitution that would permit the withdrawal of citizenship from people with dual nationality convicted of crimes such as espionage or treason.
The committee did not include organized crime within its scope. The government, however, has opted to extend the proposal.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said the bill submitted to parliament would make it possible to revoke the citizenship of dual nationals convicted of crimes that “gravely affect vital national interests,” explicitly including serious gang-related offences. According to the government, the aim is to strengthen legal tools against individuals responsible for severe harm to society.
Sweden has experienced sustained gang-related violence for more than a decade, prompting successive governments to introduce tougher law enforcement and criminal justice measures.
The current governing coalition, supported in parliament by the Sweden Democrats, came to power after the 2022 election with a platform focused on reducing immigration and combating organized crime, which they argue are connected.
Strömmer said the government is targeting the beginning of 2027 for the proposed constitutional changes to take effect, if the legislative process proceeds as planned.
This article was first published on Reuters
