The police estimate that around 600 criminals with connections to Sweden conduct organized criminal activities directed at Sweden from abroad. One of the countries as criminals according to the police established in is the United Arab Emirates, above all in Dubai.
Requesting legal aid from there has previously been described as almost worthlessbut that may be about to change. During Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates signed two bilateral agreements with Sweden on extradition and legal assistance in criminal cases.
The signing took place in Abu Dhabi, where Sweden was represented by Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M).
– This is a partly new way of thinking and working where we have to update our toolbox in light of the developments we have seen in organized crime, he tells TT.
– When the police find that approximately 600 criminals with connections to Sweden are in other countries and are committing crimes against Sweden, it goes without saying that law enforcement must find new tools to follow suit.
Will follow them
The hope is that the extradition agreement will lead to people being extradited to Sweden soon.
– It is our goal that more will be extradited to Sweden and I see that there is a strong common interest between both our countries.
The agreements send a clear signal to criminals who reside abroad, he believes.
– We will follow them regardless of where they go and we are prepared to do a lot in terms of cooperation with other countries to find them, arrest them and bring them home to Sweden where they can be prosecuted and punished.
Requirements for Sweden
What kind of demands does this mean for Sweden vis-à-vis a country that is not a democracy and for example has the death penalty?
– There is reciprocity in an agreement like this, of course. Then the handling of the agreements must always be in accordance with the legislation in both countries, it also applies in this case that everything that is done must be in accordance with Swedish law.
Strömmer says that both countries have a strong interest in the arrest of criminal persons with connections to Sweden who are in the United Arab Emirates.
– It is both about our safety and security, but also about the safety and security of the United Arab Emirates. Through these agreements, we can try to advance the positions together.