Swedish Teen Girls Charged in Rising Organized Crime Violence

Teenage girls in Sweden, some under 15, are increasingly recruited by organized crime gangs as hitwomen, using encrypted messaging apps to offer their services and prove themselves tougher than boys. Prosecutors report cases such as a 15-year-old girl who chose to shoot a victim in the head, highlighting a disturbing trend of extreme violence among young female perpetrators. Around 280 girls aged 15 to 17 were charged with violent crimes including murder and manslaughter in 2023, though many are not officially linked to organized crime. Experts and Sweden’s Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer acknowledge a societal blind spot in recognizing girls as active participants rather than victims, which has allowed gangs to exploit them and put them at great risk. Organized crime gangs, considered a systemic threat by the government, have infiltrated various sectors including welfare, politics, and education, often directing attacks from abroad through intermediaries. The dramatic rise in violent crime involving minors under 15 and the use of encrypted platforms for criminal coordination signifies a growing challenge for Swedish law enforcement and social services.