Sweden Democrats Politicians Resign Amid Scandals of Criminal Affiliations
Recent scandals involving Sweden Democrats politicians lead to resignations over criminal links.
Key Points
- • Jimmy Forsell resigned after links to Hells Angels were revealed.
- • Ulf Börkell faces charges for misconduct related to a prostitution scandal.
- • Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson criticizes the SD's systemic criminal connections.
- • Thomas Berntsson also resigned over ties to Hells Angels' supporter club.
In a troubling turn of events for the Sweden Democrats (SD) party, two of its politicians have resigned following revelations regarding their connections to criminal activities including ties to motorcycle gangs and involvement in a prostitution scandal.
Jimmy Forsell, a politician from Bollnäs, has stepped down from all political assignments after it was disclosed that he had links to the Red & White Crew, a support group for the infamous Hells Angels. Forsell acknowledged his membership in this group for five years, despite earlier distancing claims. He remarked, "After a period of reflection and careful consideration, I have chosen to leave my political assignments," as reported by the Ljusnan newspaper.
The fallout from this scandal has been significant, with Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson emphasizing the issue. She criticized the Sweden Democrats’ systemic ties to the criminal motorcycle environment, stating that these connections are not just isolated incidents but indicative of larger problematic affiliations within the party.
Additionally, another SD politician, Thomas Berntsson, has also resigned from his role in Svenljunga. Berntsson's resignation follows reports from Expressen indicating his close ties to the Hells Angels' official supporter club, the Red Devils, further amplifying concerns over the party's integrity and connections to organized crime.
In another development, Ulf Börkell, a politician from Kristianstad, is facing legal trouble of his own. Börkell has been charged with misconduct after failing to declare his connections to a massage salon implicated in a major prostitution scandal. This salon was shut down in 2023 following a police raid, leading to the owner’s imprisonment for serious pimping offenses. Börkell, who served as a lay judge in a related case, was listed among customers who made dubious double payments to the establishment but insists he only availed himself of massage services.
These incidents raise significant ethical questions and have cast a shadow on the Sweden Democrats as the party grapples with multiple scandals linking its members to criminal behavior, suggesting a potential crisis of credibility and public trust within the organization.