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🇸🇪 Sweden’s government has proposed lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 amid rising gang recruitment and youth crime. If ...
🇸🇪 Sweden’s government has proposed lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 amid rising gang recruitment and youth crime.
If approved by parliament, the law would take effect on July 3, 2026.
The government says the move is necessary due to the growing involvement of teenagers in organized criminal groups.
According to Sweden’s National Council for Crime Prevention, the number of registered offenses involving suspects under 15 has doubled over the past decade.
In 2025, Aftonbladet reports, 52 children under the age of 15 were involved in criminal cases related to murder or attempted murder. Under current law, they face no criminal punishment and are instead placed under the supervision of social services.
The government proposes introducing the lower age limit for a five-year trial period, with the option to make it permanent if the situation does not improve.
If approved by parliament, the law would take effect on July 3, 2026.
The government says the move is necessary due to the growing involvement of teenagers in organized criminal groups.
According to Sweden’s National Council for Crime Prevention, the number of registered offenses involving suspects under 15 has doubled over the past decade.
In 2025, Aftonbladet reports, 52 children under the age of 15 were involved in criminal cases related to murder or attempted murder. Under current law, they face no criminal punishment and are instead placed under the supervision of social services.
The government proposes introducing the lower age limit for a five-year trial period, with the option to make it permanent if the situation does not improve.