Interpol Interpol: Swedish weapons can end up in criminals

Interpol Interpol: Swedish weapons can end up in criminals 

Of: 

Emil Forsberg 

Published: Less than 1 hour ago 

NEWS 

Sweden sends more weapons to support Ukraine. 

But when the war is over, they could be in the hands of criminal gangs.

- There will be a spread of illegal weapons, says Interpol chief Jürgen Stock to Aftonbladet. 

Robot 17, automatic rifle 90 and another 5,000 armored shots are included in the new weapons package Sweden intends to send to Ukraine.(tänker skicka till Ukraina.)

At the same time, Interpol warns that criminal organizations can take advantage of the large flows of weapons into the country. 

Secretary General Jürgen Stock says that the groups have already started planning for how to seize them, both for their own use and to sell on the black market. 

The naval target robot, Robot 17, which is part of the new weapons package from Sweden. Photo: Fredrik Sandberg / TT 

- Based on experience, we can say that the high availability of weapons in Ukraine will result in a proliferation of illegal weapons after the war, he says and continues: 

- It is more than 20 years since the wars in Yugoslavia and the Western Balkans ended, but it is still one of the most important sources of illegal firearms in Europe. 

"Strengthens organized crime" 

The price of weapons is higher in Europe than in other parts of the world and Scandinavian countries stand out in particular, according to the Interpol chief. He now fears that the criminal groups in the European market may be further strengthened. 

"We will see a similar influx of illegal weapons, which will strengthen organized crime groups in Europe," he said. 

Interpol chief Jürgen Stock warns that criminals can get hold of weapons sent to Ukraine. Photo: Kamran Jebreili / AP 

Suggests tracking 

Interpol is now urging countries that send weapons to Ukraine to register them in an international database where they can be traced if they end up in operation. It is not yet known whether Sweden will register weapons it has sent. 

- It makes it possible to identify the exact moment when the weapon ended up in illegal possession and where it went. By analyzing the routes, one can also identify potential human trafficking patterns, routes and human traffickers, says Jürgen Stock. 

Foreign Minister Ann Linde and Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist have declined to comment on Interpol's warning. 

Swedish weapons sent to the war in Ukraine could end up in the hands of criminals. Photo: Stefan Jerrevång