Swedish police expressed their concern that the weapons used in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia could end up in the hands of criminal gangs in Sweden.
Swedish police are increasingly concerned that weapons used in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia could lead to smuggling out of the country by arms dealers who could sell weapons to gangs operating in Sweden.
“There is a high risk of illegal arms being smuggled into Sweden,” Gunnar Appelgren, a Swedish investigator, told public broadcaster Sveriges Radio this week.
The reporter said that most of the weapons involved in the deaths in Sweden, which are now skyrocketing in the country, were brought from the Balkans and used in various wars with the Yugoslavs in the 1990s.
Military-grade weapons, including US equipment in Ukraine, are allegedly sold to international buyers via the Telegram messaging app. https://t.co/1TiV4gMCKl
– Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) May 15, 2022
Inspector Appelgren said there could be a risk of arms flow if there is a peace deal or a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, arguing that the weapons are less desirable and criminal networks can sell them to make money.
“We bought many machine guns, AK-47s, Kalashnikovs. A few years ago, grenades were also included in these loads. It comes with transportation in cars and buses,” said Appelgren, adding: “If there is a gun, there is a market; if there is conflict, there is a need for weapons. And we have conflicts in Sweden.
Sweden has one of the highest lethal fire rates in Europe: a report published last year says Sweden has the highest lethal shot rate in Europe as a whole and has seen an annual increase in severity since 2013. weaponry.
Earlier this year, Inspector Appelgren warned that 2022 could set new records for deadly homicides. the high level we are at today. ”
Sweden: catch losses in the first 3 months of 2022 were three times higher than in 2021 https://t.co/LQRPe3Flpf
– Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) April 5, 2022
“There are still very violent conflicts and spirals where revenge produces revenge. That first crime – trying to shoot someone – creates this spiral of violence,” he added, referring to the link between hunting and criminal gangs.
Just weeks after rAppelgren’s comments, a report said there were three times as many fatal homicides in Sweden in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2021.
Source: Breitbart
