Swedish gang figure arrested in Romania over attempted murder and extortion

A man in his 30s has been arrested in Romania on suspicion of attempted murder and aggravated extortion, SVT Nyheter reported. Swedish police describe him as a leading figure in a criminal network in Stockholm County.

Police classify the man as a high priority individual, meaning they believe he has driven serious and system threatening violence. He is considered to have been part of and influential within the criminal network for several years.

“The arrest once again shows that it is becoming increasingly difficult for criminals to hide abroad,” Johan Rydwik, deputy head of the regional investigations unit in the Stockholm police region, said in a statement.

The man had been abroad in recent years and was arrested through cooperation between Europol and Romanian police.

“We are very grateful for the effective work of the Romanian police,” said Jonas Hemmar, acting deputy head of the International Unit at the National Operations Department.