Stavanger youth linked to violent crimes and organised gang activity

A 19-year-old man known as “Ahmed” arrived in Norway through family reunification without parents and is now connected to serious criminal activity in Stavanger, Dagbladet reports. Police allege he was directed by a Norwegian intermediary of the Swedish Foxtrot network to carry out violent acts.

The case follows a surge in youth crime in the oil city, with authorities warning of increasingly severe offences involving minors. “Ahmed” has been convicted of robbery and is now charged in a broader investigation tied to the Foxtrot gang, which police suspect of ordering multiple killings.

Threats and violence in Stavanger On New Year’s Day 2023, a 17-year-old was assaulted and robbed at Stavanger Station by a group including “Ahmed.” The victim was threatened with further violence if he reported the crime to police, but officers quickly apprehended three suspects and recovered stolen items. This was not “Ahmed’s” first offence—court documents show prior convictions for theft and threats, including a knife-related incident on a bus.

Family reunification without family Court records reveal “Ahmed” came to Norway in 2019 with his sister under family reunification rules, despite both parents being deceased. They live with an older brother who works multiple jobs to support them. Sources describe a troubled upbringing, with “Ahmed” reportedly targeted in a revenge attack after one robbery.

Ties to Foxtrot network “Ahmed” is now charged alongside “Sigurd” (16), alleged to be a key figure in the Foxtrot network’s operations in Stavanger. Police claim “Sigurd” orchestrated violent crimes from a child welfare institution, despite receiving state support since age five. “Sigurd” has admitted guilt in several cases and is currently on trial in Sør-Rogaland District Court.

“Ahmed’s” lawyer, Ørjan Eskeland, confirmed his client denies the charges but declined further comment, citing inability to reach him. Dagbladet’s attempts to contact “Ahmed” were unsuccessful.

Repeated legal troubles Court records show “Ahmed” has faced more judicial proceedings than years completed in upper secondary education. After a 2023 robbery conviction, he was assigned a youth rehabilitation plan requiring regular check-ins with social services, police, and child welfare authorities—conditions he reportedly failed to meet.

The case has sparked political debate in Stavanger, where police have warned of escalating youth involvement in organised crime. Investigations link at least 13 young men to drug-related offences and violence, with social media posts revealing references to themselves as “soldiers.”