Swedish Security Agency: Iran is Utilizing Criminal Gangs in Sweden

The Swedish Security and Intelligence Service announced on Thursday that it has evidence showing that the Islamic Republic of Iran is using Swedish criminal gangs to carry out "violent acts" against Israel and other countries and groups in Sweden that Tehran considers threats. In a statement referencing "Israeli and Jewish interests, objectives, and operations in Sweden," it stated: "The Swedish Security Police has discovered that the Iranian regime is using criminal networks in Sweden to carry out violent acts against other countries, groups, or individuals in Sweden that it considers threats." These allegations were made during a press conference by Daniel Stenling, head of the counter-espionage unit of the Swedish Security Service, following a series of events earlier this year. In late January, the Israeli embassy in Stockholm was sealed after a "dangerous object" was found in the diplomatic compound in an area in eastern Stockholm. Swedish media reported that the object was a hand grenade. The embassy was not evacuated, and the object was ultimately disposed of. No one was arrested, and officials did not disclose what was found. On May 17, gunfire was heard near the Israeli embassy in Stockholm, and the area was cordoned off, but no one was arrested. Stenling, without providing details, said that his security agency "can confirm that Iran is using criminal networks in Sweden as intermediaries." He stated: "This is more about planning and attempting to carry out attacks against Israeli and Jewish interests, objectives, and activities in Sweden," adding that for the Swedish Security Service, "the connection between criminal individuals in criminal gangs and individuals related to Iranian security services that are linked to them is evident." Gunnar Strömmer, the Minister of Justice, and Hampus Nogard, Deputy Head of the National Police Operations Department of Sweden, were also present at this online press conference. Stenling and others made no reference to recent incidents related to the Israeli embassy and refrained from naming criminal groups or suspects. Sweden has been grappling with violence from criminal groups for years, with gangs often recruiting teenagers in socially deprived immigrant neighborhoods for criminal activities. As of May 15, the police had recorded 85 shootings in the current year, 12 of which were fatal. Last year, a total of 363 shootings occurred in Sweden, resulting in 53 deaths and 109 injuries. The two main criminal gangs in Sweden, the "Foxtrot" network led by Rava Majid, who lives in exile in Turkey, and its rival, "Rumba," have been involved in deadly conflicts for years. Ankara had rejected Sweden's request to extradite Rava Majid, a dual Swedish citizen, because he also holds Turkish citizenship. The Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, also claims that the Islamic Republic is behind attacks on its embassies in several European countries. On Thursday, Mossad warned that Iran has increased its support for terrorism in Europe through proxy criminal groups in the 60 days leading up to the Paris Olympics, with a particular focus on Jewish and Israeli targets abroad. According to the Jerusalem Post, Mossad specifically mentioned the activities of the two criminal groups, "Foxtrot" and "Rumba," stating that they are "directly responsible for violent activities and promoting terrorism in Sweden and across Europe" and receive funding and directives directly from Iran. "Iran-related terrorist threats in Europe are on the rise," Mossad further claimed that Iran was behind the grenade attack on the Israeli embassy in Belgium last weekend and the shooting near the Israeli embassy in Sweden on May 17. A similar attempt to attack the Israeli embassy in Sweden using a grenade occurred last January, but the grenade did not explode. The "Foxtrot" group, known for murder and large-scale drug trafficking, is considered the largest criminal organization in Sweden and operates in other European countries as well. The Israeli intelligence agency stated that Rava Majid, a dual Swedish-Turkish citizen of Kurdish descent, is the head of this criminal group, operating under the alias "Kurdish Fox," and after fleeing to Iran, he was arrested in Iran and later recruited and released for terrorist activities. The agency also reported that the rival gang, "Rumba," is responsible for the shooting two weeks ago near the Israeli embassy in Sweden. Mossad also stated that the Islamic Republic is trying to exploit the global wave of anti-Semitism and recruit new proxy groups for its terrorist attacks worldwide. David Barnea, head of Mossad, stated last September that his agency and other intelligence organizations in Israel had thwarted 27 Iranian terrorist plots against Israelis worldwide.