That is why so few are brought to justice after bombings

So far this year, over 100 bombings have taken place around Sweden, which is more than ever in six months.

Crimes that are also very difficult to solve, show figures that TV4 Nyheterna has seen.
– What seems to be new now is that they blow up even during the summer, says Carl Mellberg, senior prosecutor at the Västerort Prosecutor’s Chamber in Stockholm.

Statistics from the Crime Prevention Council (Brå) show that investigations rarely lead to prosecution. Last year, 72 cases involving completed explosions were dealt with, in 2021 the number was 52. The number of prosecutions brought was 15 and 6 respectively.

– What stands out to me is that explosions have previously been somewhat seasonal, however strange it may sound. During the darker months of the year, more have been blown up. But what seems to be new now is that they also blow up during the summer, says Carl Mellberg, senior prosecutor at the Västerort Prosecutor’s Chamber in Stockholm.

“Reluctance to cooperate”

Crimes committed within the gang criminal environment have a lower clearance rate than many other crime types. According to Carl Mellberg, there are several reasons why this is so.

– It is one of the major social problems that many people think about. It could be that there are risk-aware executors who know what to do and what not to do, it could also be due to a reluctance to cooperate on the part of both plaintiffs and witnesses, he says.

Forensic clues important

During the spring, Carl Mellberg led the preliminary investigations after two explosions in Stockholm on January 17 and 18 respectively, which led to convictions in the district court. One reason was that the National Forensic Centre, NFC, prioritized the cases, which early on gave the investigation a direction to be able to find the right people.

– The second component is that there have been well-staffed investigative teams with competent and experienced police officers to the extent required, says Carl Mellberg.

Right now, suspects are detained in several ongoing preliminary investigations, including in cases connected to the ongoing conflict in Stockholm.

– The number of detainees around these particular conflict zones is very high. It could be an indication that there will be more prosecutions than before, but it doesn’t have to be, says Carl Mellberg.