Latest news with #FoxtrotNetwork
Rudaw Net
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Top Foxtrot member arrested in Erbil: Swedish media
Also in Kurdistan KRG approves 'understanding' with Baghdad on budget issues President Barzani, Estonian defense minister discuss defense ties, regional developments KRG cabinet to address financial crisis amid new round of meetings with Baghdad KRG ministry condemns drone strikes on Duhok oil fields as operations halt A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Ahmed Alaa Fawzi, also known by his gang alias 'Dybala' and a key figure in Sweden's notorious Foxtrot Network, has been apprehended in Erbil, according to Sweden's national broadcaster SVT. SVT reported that Fawzi, 27, was arrested several weeks ago by local security forces in the Kurdistan Region, though news of his capture has only recently been made public. Rudaw English reached out to Erbil police, but they were not immediately available for a comment. Originally from Baghdad, Fawzi holds only Iraqi citizenship and was denied asylum in Sweden in 2015. Fawzi is internationally wanted by Swedish authorities for allegedly ordering the murder of a father of three in Skurup, a municipality in southern Sweden's Skane County. Interpol has also issued a Red Notice for his arrest on charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aiding and abetting, and weapons offenses. Prominent Swedish daily Aftonbladet cited Fawzi's lawyer, Tobias Guldstrand, as noting that he knew of his client's apprehension 'only through the media. I have nothing further I can comment on beyond that at the moment.' Widely known by his gang name Dybala, Fawzi reportedly implicated in several investigations linked to contract killings in Sweden. He is believed to be a close associate of Rawa Majid - dubbed 'the Kurdish Fox' - who leads the Foxtrot Network. The Foxtrot Network, a dominant force in Sweden's criminal underworld since the late 2010s, is deeply involved in narcotics trafficking, shootings, bombings, and other violent crimes. In March, the United States sanctioned Majid over his alleged involvement in arms and drug trafficking and for reportedly cooperating with Iran in 'attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets in Europe.' Earlier this month, Turkish authorities arrested Ismail Abdo, another Swedish gang leader and former associate of Majid. Abdo, wanted for drug trafficking and violent crimes, was detained alongside 19 others as part of a joint investigation between Turkish and Swedish law enforcement. Sweden, once celebrated for its low crime rates and robust welfare system, has witnessed a sharp rise in gang-related violence over the past decade. A surge in shootings and bombings, largely fueled by rivalries between criminal networks competing for control of drug markets, has become a pressing national concern. The violence has been exacerbated by social segregation in so-called 'vulnerable areas,' where gangs increasingly recruit minors - who often face lighter penalties under Swedish law. This trend has shaken public confidence in institutions and prompted the government to push for tougher crime-fighting measures, including broader police powers and harsher sentencing.
Local Sweden
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
US citizens in Sweden warned of risk of Iranian attacks
US citizens in Sweden have been told to 'exercise increased caution' and review their personal security plans after reports Iran is recruiting gang criminals to hit back at the US's bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. Advertisement The US embassy in Stockholm is advising US citizens in Sweden to "exercise increased caution and maintain awareness of their surroundings", particularly near the embassy, after Swedish investigative news show Uppdrag granskning reported that Iran is putting pressure on local criminal gangs, including the Foxtrot Network, to carry out attacks in Sweden against US and Israeli interests. In a statement on its website, the embassy urges US citizens to monitor local media for updates, avoid crowds and demonstrations, keep a low profile, be aware of their surroundings, review their personal security plans and be cautious in the vicinity of the embassy building. Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023, there have been several incidents apparently targeting Israeli interests in Sweden. The Swedish intelligence agency, Säpo, has previously said that Iran is recruiting members of Swedish criminal gangs to commit "acts of violence" against Israeli and other interests in Sweden – a claim Iran has denied.
Japan Today
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
U.S. urges Americans in Sweden to remain vigilant, citing threat of attack
By Kanishka Singh and Marie Mannes The U.S. embassy in Sweden said on Monday Americans in the country are "advised to exercise increased caution" due to local media reports on Iran potentially pressuring local criminal gangs to attack U.S. and Israeli interests. Washington struck Iran's nuclear sites over the weekend and Iran targeted a U.S. base in Qatar on Monday in retaliation. The U.S. State Department on Sunday issued a worldwide caution security alert for Americans living overseas. Analysts have warned that Iran, with its military weakened by Israeli strikes, could retaliate in non-traditional ways, including by activating proxy groups against American and Israeli interests worldwide. U.S. ally Israel's war with Iran began on June 13 when Israel struck Iran. The air war raised alarms in a region that was already on edge since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in late 2023. "Swedish media reports that Iran may be pressuring local criminal gangs, including the Foxtrot Network, to carry out attacks in Sweden against U.S. and Israeli interests. U.S. citizens in Sweden are advised to exercise increased caution," the U.S. embassy in Sweden said in a security alert. The alert was issued before President Donald Trump said on Monday Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire. It urged Americans in Sweden to avoid crowds and demonstrations and keep a low profile. The Swedish criminal gang Foxtrot was accused in April by Britain of committing violence against Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe on behalf of Iran's government, a claim Iran rejected. Washington sanctioned the group in March. The embassy's alert did not identify the report it was quoting. A report by the Swedish public broadcaster on Sunday said Foxtrot and its leader were in the past few days pressured to carry out new attacks against Israelis and Americans. Sweden has suffered from a wave of gang-related violence for over a decade, including in recent months against buildings linked to Israelis or Israeli business. A Sunday advisory from the U.S. government warned of a heightened domestic threat environment. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
US urges Americans in Sweden to remain vigilant, citing threat of attack
US urges Americans in Sweden to remain vigilant, citing threat of attack WASHINGTON/STOCKHOLM - The U.S. embassy in Sweden said on Monday Americans in the country are "advised to exercise increased caution" due to local media reports on Iran potentially pressuring local criminal gangs to attack U.S. and Israeli interests. Washington struck Iran's nuclear sites over the weekend and Iran targeted a U.S. base in Qatar on Monday in retaliation. The U.S. State Department on Sunday issued a worldwide caution security alert for Americans living overseas. Analysts have warned that Iran, with its military weakened by Israeli strikes, could retaliate in non-traditional ways, including by activating proxy groups against American and Israeli interests worldwide. U.S. ally Israel's war with Iran began on June 13 when Israel struck Iran. The air war raised alarms in a region that was already on edge since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in late 2023. "Swedish media reports that Iran may be pressuring local criminal gangs, including the Foxtrot Network, to carry out attacks in Sweden against U.S. and Israeli interests. U.S. citizens in Sweden are advised to exercise increased caution," the U.S. embassy in Sweden said in a security alert. The alert was issued before President Donald Trump said on Monday Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire. It urged Americans in Sweden to avoid crowds and demonstrations and keep a low profile. The Swedish criminal gang Foxtrot was accused in April by Britain of committing violence against Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe on behalf of Iran's government, a claim Iran rejected. Washington sanctioned the group in March. The embassy's alert did not identify the report it was quoting. A report by the Swedish public broadcaster on Sunday said Foxtrot and its leader were in the past few days pressured to carry out new attacks against Israelis and Americans. Sweden has suffered from a wave of gang-related violence for over a decade, including in recent months against buildings linked to Israelis or Israeli business. A Sunday advisory from the U.S. government warned of a heightened domestic threat environment. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
US urges Americans in Sweden to remain vigilant, citing threat of attack
WASHINGTON/STOCKHOLM, June 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. embassy in Sweden said on Monday Americans in the country are "advised to exercise increased caution" due to local media reports on Iran potentially pressuring local criminal gangs to attack U.S. and Israeli interests. Washington struck Iran's nuclear sites over the weekend and Iran targeted a U.S. base in Qatar on Monday in retaliation. The U.S. State Department on Sunday issued a worldwide caution security alert for Americans living overseas. Analysts have warned that Iran, with its military weakened by Israeli strikes, could retaliate in non-traditional ways, including by activating proxy groups against American and Israeli interests worldwide. U.S. ally Israel's war with Iran began on June 13 when Israel struck Iran. The air war raised alarms in a region that was already on edge since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in late 2023. "Swedish media reports that Iran may be pressuring local criminal gangs, including the Foxtrot Network, to carry out attacks in Sweden against U.S. and Israeli interests. U.S. citizens in Sweden are advised to exercise increased caution," the U.S. embassy in Sweden said in a security alert. The alert was issued before President Donald Trump said on Monday Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire. It urged Americans in Sweden to avoid crowds and demonstrations and keep a low profile. The Swedish criminal gang Foxtrot was accused in April by Britain of committing violence against Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe on behalf of Iran's government, a claim Iran rejected. Washington sanctioned the group in March. The embassy's alert did not identify the report it was quoting. A report by the Swedish public broadcaster on Sunday said Foxtrot and its leader were in the past few days pressured to carry out new attacks against Israelis and Americans. Sweden has suffered from a wave of gang-related violence for over a decade, including in recent months against buildings linked to Israelis or Israeli business. A Sunday advisory from the U.S. government warned of a heightened domestic threat environment.
