US EditionSweden to Lower Age of Criminal Responsibility as Youth Violence Soars
Sweden targets a rise in violent crimes by under-15 suspects, tripling murder-related cases in early 2024, with new laws applying for five years to curb gang exploitation of youths.
- On September 9, 2025, the Swedish government announced it will reduce the minimum age at which individuals can be held legally accountable for serious offenses like murder and aggravated bombings from 15 to 13, implementing this change for a temporary period of five years.
- This decision comes after a rise since 2023 in criminal groups enlisting minors through online platforms to carry out violent attacks, despite a reduction in gang-related shootings in 2024.
- The government also listed measures including special youth prison wards, ending lenient youth sentences, police coercion against child criminals, improved social services, and removing confidentiality barriers between schools, police, and social workers.
- In his annual policy address, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson highlighted that the current extent of violence remains unacceptable in any civilized society and emphasized the government's committed efforts to safeguard children and other victims.
- The measure is set for a five-year trial, reflecting an effort to stop cynical exploitation of children amid ongoing concerns about youth crime despite recent declines in shootings.
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Because gangs are recruiting them for crimes, young people in Sweden are supposed to be punishable at the age of 13. The government announced this. Children's protectors fear an opposite effect.
The Swedish government wants to reduce the age of criminality from 15 to 13 years.
ESTOCOLMO (AFP).- The Swedish government announced on Wednesday its intention to reduce the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 years in order to combat the rise in the recruitment of minors for organized crime.For more than a decade, the Scandinavian country has been implementing different policies in which it strives to contain the multiplication of crimes perpetrated by these criminal networks, mainly linked to the fight for control …
Sweden to lower age of criminal responsibility to 13 amid surge in child gang violence
STOCKHOLM, Sept 10 — Sweden’s government announced plans Wednesday to reduce the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 to combat the soaring recruitment of children to carry out shootings and bombings for organised crime networks.The Scandinavian country has struggled to contain a surge in the networks’ violent crime for more than a decade, linked primarily to score-settling and battles to control the drug market.“The number of suspected …
Times of Malta
The Local - SeSweden to lower age of criminal responsibility as youth violence soars
Sweden's government announced plans Wednesday to reduce the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 to combat the soaring recruitment of children to carry out shootings and bombings for organised crime networks.The Scandinavian country has struggled to contain a surge in the networks' violent crime for more than a decade, linked primarily to score-settling...
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