Key Leader of Foxtrot Gang Arrested in Iraq Marks Strategic Law Enforcement Victory in Sweden

A 21-year-old man identified as Ali Shehab, a central figure in Sweden's Foxtrot criminal network, was arrested in Iraq last December in what Swedish law enforcement officials call a strategic breakthrough in combating gang violence. Shehab, who holds dual Swedish and Iraqi citizenship, has been on Europol's 'Most Wanted' list and is wanted in Sweden for several serious crimes, including multiple counts of incitement to murder and links to mass shootings in Gävle in 2025 and Farsta in 2023.

Swedish National Police Chief Petra Lundh and Deputy Police Chief Stefan Hector confirmed the arrest, noting that it disrupts Shehab's ability to incite violent crimes from abroad. Lundh emphasized the significance of the arrest in the broader context of fighting organized crime, stating the individual is a ‘‘key figure’’ in the Foxtrot network who orchestrated several murders while at large.

The arrest was made possible through effective international cooperation between Swedish and Iraqi authorities, highlighting the ongoing global collaborative effort to apprehend gang leaders operating beyond Sweden’s borders. Despite complications surrounding extradition due to Shehab’s dual citizenship, Swedish police are relieved that he can no longer direct violent actions within Sweden.

This operation forms part of a series of successful arrests of gang leaders abroad, which Swedish law enforcement views as crucial steps toward reducing gang-related crime domestically. Authorities also reported further arrests within the network, reinforcing law enforcement’s strategic push against organized crime.

The Foxtrot network has been under intense scrutiny due to its involvement in several violent crimes. The apprehension of Shehab is expected to impact the gang's operations significantly and represents a major milestone in Sweden’s ongoing battle against organised criminal violence.