Police in Gothenburg have identified over 30 high-risk football supporters connected to serious criminal activities, including ties to criminal networks and violent extremism. These individuals are suspected of around 100 crimes, ranging from violence against women to drug offenses and attempted extortion. The situation has prompted increased police protection for IFK Göteborg's club director amid ongoing conflicts with certain supporter groups.
Police Identify Over 30 High-Risk Supporters Linked to Crime in Gothenburg
Police Identify Over 30 High-Risk Supporters Linked to Crime in Gothenburg
Police have identified over 30 high-risk supporters with connections to serious criminal activities in the Gothenburg area. Collectively, they are linked to approximately 100 criminal suspicions.
– "It involves a wide range of crimes, both directly related to matches and outside football events," says Emelie Kullmyr, police area chief in Greater Gothenburg, in a press release.
Over 30 high-risk supporters with connections to serious crime have been identified in the Gothenburg area.
In several cases, the police have seen connections to various criminal networks, motorcycle gangs, and violent political extremism.
In total, it involves about 100 criminal suspicions, such as violence against women, drug offenses, economic crimes, and other serious criminality, including attempted extortion, public endangerment, and weapons offenses.
– "A relatively small group thus generates many criminal suspicions. It involves a wide range of crimes, both directly related to matches and outside football events," says Emelie Kullmyr, police area chief in Greater Gothenburg.
The police's announcement comes after it was earlier reported this week that IFK Göteborg's club director Håkan Mild is receiving police protection. The protection follows a period of conflict between Blåvitt and certain supporter groups. Fans have, among other things, demanded Håkan Mild's resignation, and this summer, a person was convicted for threats directed at the club director.
Drawing Youth into Crime
The image of the prevalence of serious crime among high-risk supporters in the football environment is shared by several authorities.
– "The investigations we have conducted have concerned individuals engaged in multi-criminal acts, that is, not just minor offenses in connection with football matches. Further investigations are ongoing where more individuals may be suspected of crimes," says Mats Ihlbom, senior prosecutor.
Ongoing investigations show that leading high-risk supporters are also suspected of the crime of involving minors in criminal activities.
– "We take attempts to socialize young people into crime particularly seriously. We work closely with other authorities and municipalities, as well as schools and social services, to catch signals and prevent young people from being drawn into crime," says Emelie Kullmyr.