Latest news with #GunnarStrömmer
LeMonde
a day ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
Sweden to lease a prison in Estonia to deal with overcrowding
As a consequence of rapidly expanding organized crime and tougher criminal sentencing, Sweden's prisons have reached capacity. In 2024, the kingdom's 46 prison facilities housed 7,530 inmates for just 5,022 available beds. Since then, the occupancy rate has risen further, reaching 141% and leading to a "very tense" situation in some facilities, according to conservative Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer. His solution: leasing a prison in Tartu, Estonia. On Wednesday, June 4, Strömmer announced that Stockholm had reached an agreement with Tallinn. While Sweden does plan to add 18,000 more beds by 2033, building new jails and penitentiaries takes time. Moreover, even these additional spaces might not be enough. As it stands, the Swedish prison administration already predicts that 35,000 people will be incarcerated and 4,500 held in provisional detention by 2033. These figures could climb even higher: On Thursday, June 5, National Police Commissioner Petra Lundh presented her proposals for reforming criminal policy. If all her recommendations are enacted, their combined effect will result in a surge in sentences, amounting to the equivalent of 16,000 additional years of criminal imprisonment per year.
Euronews
2 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Sweden reaches deal with Estonia to rent prison cells to house inmates
Sweden has reached an agreement with Estonia to house up to 600 inmates in rented prison cells in the Baltic country in a bid to alleviate its prison overcrowding crisis. The deal, which was confirmed on Wednesday by Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer, will allow Sweden to rent 400 cells in the prison in Tartu in the south-eastern part of Estonia. "Sweden and Estonia have reached an agreement that will significantly relieve the burden on the Swedish prison system," Strömmer said. The cost of a prisoner in Estonia is estimated to be €8,500 per month, excluding costs for transport to and from Sweden. In Sweden, the cost is around €11,500 per month. The entire prison will be made available to Sweden and Estonian law will apply on site, according to the agreement. Swedish prison staff will be on the ground to train Estonian guards. Differences in the legislation on prison sentences in the two countries have been analysed. "Estonia is bound by the same international commitments as Sweden and there is established cooperation between the countries in the area of criminal law," a statement from the Swedish Justice Ministry read. Certain exceptions have been agreed, so that the experience will be similar to that of a Swedish prison sentence, the ministry added. Whether an inmate can be sent to Estonia to serve their prison sentence will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Broadly speaking, only men over the age of 18, who have been convicted of serious crimes such as murder or sexual offences will be considered for transfer. They must not be considered to pose a major security risk. Those with an extensive need for care or who are deemed to pose a higher security risk, for example those convicted of terrorist crimes, crimes against national security or who have links to serious organised crime, will not be eligible. Renting prison places abroad was a key component of the Tidö Agreement, the government agreement for the Swedish coalition between the Sweden Democrats, the Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats and the Liberals following the 2022 elections. The aim was to remedy the shortage of places in Swedish prisons, caused by a stream of inmates arising due to gang crime escalating in recent years. This trend has resulted in the Nordic nation topping the rankings of deadly gun violence per capita in Europe. Sweden and Estonia negotiated the deal this spring. An investigation concluded that there are no legal obstacles in either the Constitution or the European Convention against renting prison cells abroad. The agreement is expected to be signed in mid-June. Meanwhile, legislation that makes it possible to place convicted persons in Estonia is intended to come into force on 1 July 2026. However, legislative changes must be approved by Sweden's parliament, the Riksdag, where a qualified or three-quarters majority is required.
Local Sweden
3 days ago
- Business
- Local Sweden
Sweden could send up to 600 convicted criminals to Estonian prisons
A new agreement between Sweden and Estonia means that up to 600 criminals convicted in Sweden could serve time in prisons in Estonia, in what Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has described as a "historic" deal. Advertisement The new agreement, which is designed to partly solve Sweden's problem with a lack of prison space, is the result of negotiations which began this spring. The two countries have agreed that Sweden can rent 400 cells in a prison in Tartu – the entire prison – in the southeastern part of the country, which would house up to 600 convicted criminals. Prisoners eligible to be placed in Estonia would be men over the age of 18 who are convicted for crimes in Sweden. Both Swedish and foreign criminals would be eligible, with the exception of Estonian citizens. Under the deal Sweden would only be able to send prisoners who do not pose a major security risk, roughly equivalent to convicted criminals classed at security level two in Sweden, on a three-point scale. Staff in the prison in Tartu would be Estonian, but they would be able to speak English, and prisoners would have the right to interpreters. Estonian laws would apply, but some rules have been put into place to make sure that prisoners in Estonia have the same rights they would have had in Sweden. This includes rules around occupational activities, visitational rights and communication with the outside world. Advertisement The Swedish Prison and Probation Service would also have staff on site to assist with training Estonian staff. Sweden would also save money by sending prisoners to Estonia. According to Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer, an Estonian prison stay would cost the state around €8,500 a month per person, compared to €11,500 per month in Sweden. A government-appointed inquiry which presented its findings late last year concluded there were no barriers in the Swedish constitution or European conventions which would bar it from renting prison spaces abroad. The deal requires a parliamentary vote with a three quarter majority before Sweden can start sending prisoners to Estonia. This means that the government and its Sweden Democrat allies will need the support of the Social Democrats, currently in opposition, to approve it. The law has a suggested implementation date of July 1st, 2026.
Al Bawaba
29-04-2025
- Al Bawaba
Three killed in Sweden shooting, investigation underway
Published April 29th, 2025 - 08:33 GMT ALBAWABA - Police in Uppsala, north of the Swedish capital of Stockholm, reported that a shooting occurred Tuesday, killing three persons. Also Read Kyoto hotel demands Israeli tourist to sign 'no war crimes' form "The death of 3 people was confirmed following the shooting," the police statement said, and the agency also stated that it had launched a murder inquiry. The police claimed they have received "calls from people who heard gunfire in central Uppsala." They also said that a murder inquiry had been initiated and that emergency personnel were there at the location. "The ministry is in close contact with the police and is closely monitoring the developments of the incident, which he described as very serious," said Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer. In a statement, he clarified that "a brutal act of violence occurred in the center of Uppsala as the Walpurgis Night celebrations began." The suspect left on a scooter, according to the Swedish Radio and Television Authority. The suspect left on a scooter, according to the Swedish Radio and Television Authority. SVT was informed by witnesses that they observed individuals in the vicinity fleeing for safety after hearing five gunshots. According to a number of Swedish media sites, the shooting took place inside or close to a hair shop. Five gunshots were heard, witnesses informed the "SVT" channel, and they observed nearby residents fleeing for their lives. According to a number of Swedish media sites, the shooting happened inside or close to a hair shop. In February, a 35-year-old jobless man opened fire on pupils and instructors at an adult education center in the Swedish city of Örebro, killing ten people in the bloodiest mass shooting in the nation's history. For a number of years, drug trafficking groups in Sweden have been engaged in a battle and settling scores with one another. Young persons under the age of 15, which is the criminal responsibility age, are often the ones who commit acts of violence. Sweden: Shooting Dead in Uppsala According to authorities, a shooting in Uppsala, north of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, killed three people on Tuesday. "Three people have been confirmed dead following the shooting," a police statement said, adding that a murder investigation has been launched. According to the police, they got "calls from people who heard gunshots in central Uppsala." A homicide investigation has been initiated, and emergency personnel were present at the site. Police are looking for a suspect, according to local media. "The ministry is in close contact with the police and is closely monitoring developments in the incident, which he described as very serious," said Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer. In a statement, he clarified that "a brutal act of violence occurred in central Uppsala as Walpurgis Eve celebrations began." In February, the bloodiest mass shooting in Swedish history took place in the city of Örebro, killing ten people. At an adult education facility, a 35-year-old jobless guy started shooting at teachers and pupils. Later, the right-wing administration said that it will try to make gun rules stricter. Drug gang warfare and a slew of score-settling occurrences have plagued Sweden for a number of years. Young males under the age of 15, which is Sweden's criminal responsibility age, are often the ones who commit violent crimes; they are commissioned to carry out the murders in return for cash. In January, Swedish police reported that, for the second consecutive year, there were fewer gunshots in 2024—296 occurrences were reported, a 20% drop from the year before. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Local Sweden
29-04-2025
- Local Sweden
Police hunt perpetrators after three shot dead in central Uppsala
Police are searching for one or more perpetrators after three people were shot dead at Vaksala Square in central Uppsala on Tuesday evening. Advertisement The attack took place shortly after 5pm at the square, just a few blocks from Uppsala Central Station. Witnesses said the shooter arrived on an electric scooter and opened fire at the entrance to a hair salon. At 7.25pm, Uppsala police confirmed in a written statement that three people had died and that a murder investigation had been launched. "This is a very serious incident," police spokesperson Magnus Jansson Klarin told Aftonbladet. "Three people have been confirmed dead. We are searching for one or more perpetrators." The identities of the victims had not yet been confirmed at 8pm and their families had not been notified. Police cordoned off a wide area around the square and temporarily halted both road and rail traffic. Train services and traffic have since resumed. A police helicopter has been deployed to assist in the search. The attack occurred the day before Valborg, the largest student celebration of the year in Uppsala. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said that his ministry was in close contact with the police. "A brutal act of violence has occurred in central Uppsala," he said. "This at the same time as the whole of Uppsala has begun the Valborg weekend. What has happened is extraordinarily serious." Advertisement One witness told Upsala Nya Tidning they heard nine shots. Another told Aftonbladet they heard five or six. "I saw him come around a corner and then it all started going off," one eyewitness told Aftonbladet. "I ran straight to the concert hall for cover. You just panic. When I came back, it was total chaos."
