Norwegian Bandidos Leader Lars Harnes Arrested in Sweden

Lars Harnes, the 56-year-old leader of the Norwegian Bandidos motorcycle club, was apprehended in Sweden as he traveled to Southern Europe for a vacation. He has been held in custody for a week following his arrest by Swedish police on July 17, according to reports from Norwegian media outlets. Harnes is facing an impending eight-year expulsion from Sweden due to his extensive criminal connections. His lawyer, Øyvind Bratlien, has criticized the situation as absurd, claiming that Harnes feels legally powerless and highlighting that he is currently not charged with any crime related to his trip.

Swedish authorities indicated that Harnes was detained during a routine check targeting individuals with known criminal ties, suggesting that he poses a threat to public order and safety. This assertion aligns with his notorious background, which includes severe offenses such as a conviction in 2003 for violent crime involving torture and a hefty eight-year sentence for armed robbery in 2006. Despite the serious nature of his past crimes, Bratlien argues that the treatment Harnes is receiving is unjust, particularly given the lack of new charges against him at this time.