You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.
Supported by
SKIP ADVERTIsem*nT
The far right has made strides by tying the longstanding issue of crime to immigration, while Sweden’s center-left party is blaming failed integration, resulting in an exceptionally tight race.
STOCKHOLM — The best years were still ahead for Susanna Yakes and her 12-year-old daughter, Adriana. The two danced to music around the house and screamed together on roller coasters — still ahead were more adult milestones like travel and love.
“I could see it on her face, you know, when the rose is almost ready to open,” Ms. Yakes said, adding that she was excited for the vibrant woman her daughter was becoming.
That all changed one night in 2020 when Adriana went for a walk with her dog and got caught in the middle of a gang conflict outside a restaurant.
“I didn’t know until I lost my daughter that there are different kind of tears,” said Ms. Yakes, 34, who two years later still visits Adriana’s grave twice a week.
The killing of young Adriana, an innocent bystander, became a prominent part of a steadily swelling epidemic of gun violence in Sweden, which now has some of the highest rates of gun homicides in Europe.
As Sweden votes on Sunday in parliamentary elections, gun crime looms large for a country more commonly associated with its high living standards, women’s rights and welcoming asylum policies.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit andlog intoyour Times account, orsubscribefor all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Poverty is the main driver of crime in violence hotspots
The Swedish police have identified a number of “utsatta”, or vulnerable areas, across the country. These are home to just 5% of the country's population, but are connected with the most serious violence.
Theft crimes was the most reported type of crime in Sweden in 2022. While most types of crimes decreased over the last year, the number of reported sexual offences continued to increased until 2021.
Most other countries surveyed had instead experienced a decline in gun homicides. According to researcher Amir Rostami in 2021, those responsible for the gun violence are predominantly young men and often second generation immigrants. By 2023 gun violence in Sweden had risen to 2.5 times the European average.
Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
