Stockholm – On September 29, police were alerted to gunshots near a restaurant in Rissne, a northwestern neighborhood of the capital. Two people were injured in the incident, which unfolded in front of several witnesses. Shortly after, two men were arrested and charged with attempted murder.
This shooting is one of the latest among hundreds recorded across Sweden in 2024, as the country contends with a surge in violent crime. According to law enforcement, the attack is linked to organized criminal networks, which have been battling for control over the illicit arms and drug trade for more than a decade.
Government’s Response to Escalating Violence
Sweden’s idyllic image has been overshadowed by the increasing violence, and the government, which took office in September 2022 with the backing of the far-right Sweden Democrats, has made tackling criminal gangs a central focus. As part of their efforts, the government recently introduced a bill to allow anonymous witnesses in investigations and court trials, a measure aimed at addressing the culture of silence that has hampered efforts to prosecute serious crimes.
At a press conference, Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer stressed the importance of this reform. “Criminal gangs threaten and silence witnesses,” he said, emphasizing that the proposed law is designed to protect witnesses, break the culture of silence, and ensure that more serious offenses lead to successful prosecutions.
Controversy Surrounding the Proposal
However, the bill has not been without controversy. Critics argue that allowing anonymous testimony undermines fundamental legal rights. Mia Edwall Insulander, Secretary-General of the Swedish Bar Association, expressed deep concerns, calling the proposal “a violation of the rule of law.” She further noted that it represents a significant departure from Sweden’s legal traditions, where the accused has the right to know who is testifying against them.
Despite the backlash, the government insists that anonymous testimonies would only be permitted in exceptional cases, specifically for crimes punishable by at least two years in prison, and only when there is a demonstrable risk that the witness or their relatives could face serious harm.
Gun Violence on the Rise
This legislative proposal comes against the backdrop of growing public concern over the country’s gun violence crisis. Since 2022, Sweden has recorded nearly 1,000 shootings, with more than 100 fatalities. The surge in violent crime has become a key issue in Swedish politics, with opposition parties accusing the government of failing to effectively combat organized crime.
Critics, including opposition MPs, have dismissed the proposal for anonymous witnesses as more symbolic than practical. Green Party MP Rasmus Ling argued that the government is pushing the measure to fulfill a campaign promise rather than addressing the root causes of the violence. “The government promised this law to voters, and now it doesn’t dare back down,” Ling said, expressing skepticism about the bill’s potential impact on crime reduction.
Limited Scope of Anonymous Testimony
Experts also question the practical value of the proposed law. Andreas Ljungholm, an analyst at the National Human Rights Institute, believes that anonymous testimony will rarely be authorized in practice and will likely have limited legal value. He pointed out that courts will need to balance the protection of witnesses with the rights of the accused, suggesting that anonymous testimony will only be used in extreme cases.
As Sweden continues to grapple with rising violence and organized crime, the debate over the balance between public safety and the preservation of legal rights remains at the forefront of public discourse. The government’s controversial proposal highlights the difficult decisions ahead as Sweden seeks solutions to a worsening crisis that has shaken its once-peaceful image.