Sweden Tightens Deportation Laws Amid Somali Outrage Over Criminal Returns

The Swedish government, led by Migration Minister Johan Forssell, is set to introduce new legislation aimed at lowering the threshold for deporting criminals, intensifying its crackdown on offenders residing in Sweden illegally. This policy shift follows the recent deportation of 28 criminals to Somalia, including a convicted rapist involved in a serious crime against a minor in Örebro, on a flight to Mogadishu on September 22. Forssell emphasized that the government's decisive measures are necessary to ensure justice for victims and to hold offenders accountable, contrasting the current administration's approach with previous, less assertive policies. Benjamin Dousa, Minister of Aid, highlighted the deportations as proof of the government’s successful efforts to remove criminals without legal right to stay, while criticizing the opposition leader Magdalena Andersson for allegedly supporting their continued presence in Sweden.

However, the policy has sparked strong reactions in Somalia. Abdillahi Hashi Abib, a Somali parliament member and anti-corruption advocate, voiced deep concerns over Sweden sending rapists, pedophiles, and gang leaders back to Somali streets. Abib described Sweden's financial aid to the Somali government — approximately 100 million kronor — as "bribery" aimed at a corrupt regime incapable of enforcing Somalia’s national transformation plan. He condemned Sweden for promoting human rights on one hand while deporting criminals on the other. Abib, who has endured threats for his anti-corruption efforts, expressed readiness to present evidence to the Swedish parliament about the aid agreements, underlining Somalia’s inability to handle these deported offenders properly and rejecting the notion of his country being a "dumping ground" for Europe.

The developing tensions highlight the clash between Sweden's domestic security priorities and the challenges faced by Somalia in absorbing deported convicts. The Swedish government maintains the deportations are part of a firm public safety stance, while Somali officials and opposition voices question the efficacy and ethics of these transfers amid governance and corruption issues in Somalia.