Video: Rising Juvenile Crime in Europe – Sweden Considers Harsher Measures
As organized crime groups increasingly recruit minors online, Sweden considers lowering the age of criminal responsibility and sending juveniles to adult prisons, sparking debate across Europe about the effectiveness of harsh measures.
Across the European Union, concerns over juvenile crime are growing, prompting some member states to consider stricter penalties. The issue is particularly acute in Sweden, where organized crime groups have been increasingly recruiting individuals under 18 via the internet to commit serious offenses, including contract killings.
The Swedish government is considering lowering the age of criminal responsibility and sending minors to adult prisons instead of juvenile detention facilities. These proposals have sparked widespread debate not only in Sweden but also across Europe, raising complex questions about the effectiveness of justice systems and societal values.
Does a tough approach to crime work, or does it simply mask deeper social problems? This question is explored in a weekly program produced by the European public broadcaster ARTE. The program is published in ten languages through collaboration with media outlets including El País (Spain), Gazeta Wyborcza (Poland), Internazionale (Italy), Kathimerini (Greece), Le Soir (Belgium), Telex (Hungary), Ir (Latvia), Balkan Insight (the Balkans), and Sinopsis (Romania). The project is funded by the European Union under the European Media Platforms initiative.
