Sweden revokes residency permits of 11 gang-linked suspects abroad

Swedish authorities have stripped 11 foreign-based individuals suspected of serious organized crime of their permanent residency permits, state broadcaster SVT reports.

The group, believed to be operating from Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, the UAE, Morocco, and Spain, faces allegations including contract killings, large-scale drug trafficking, and extortion. The revocations—carried out by the Migration Agency—block their access to Swedish welfare systems, bar them from starting or running businesses in Sweden, and restrict their movement within the EU.

Marcus Nilsson, head of the border police unit at the National Operations Department (Noa), told SVT the measure aims to curb their influence in Sweden. “We want to reduce their impact here,” he said. “This is one of our methods.”

An early-2026 review by Noa of roughly 150 high-priority criminal network members abroad led to the revocations. Nilsson dismissed concerns that the move might be ineffective, as some suspects avoid Sweden by hiding outside the EU. “They’re in hiding because we’re searching for them—there’s no reason for them to retain residency,” he said. “Now they can’t return even if we stop looking.”

The loss of residency also severs family ties, business holdings, and pension rights in Sweden. Nilsson added that efforts to extradite and prosecute the individuals continue, emphasizing that “they shouldn’t have any other way back in.”