Danish criminal gangs use Swedish ‘child soldiers’ to carry out illicit activities, says minister

By Ebad Ahmed

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AA) - Denmark's Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard said on Thursday that "child soldiers" from Sweden have been involved in at least 25 recent criminal incidents within the country.

“Criminal groups in Denmark have hired Swedish child soldiers -- that’s what I call them -- to commit criminal acts,” he told state broadcaster DR. “It is very concerning that this can happen and very concerning that it's now happening in Denmark.”

Hummelgaard said many of the cases are unknown to the public because they were prevented by law enforcement. "Very few cases are unsolved. But it is a very concerning trend," he said.

For the first time, the minister identified a criminal gang in Denmark suspected of hiring Swedish youths.

“The assessment is that it now the organized gang that calls itself LTF which is in conflict with an unknown network, with both groups… giving criminal jobs to Swedish teenagers,” he added.

According to the minister, the LTF (Loyal to Familia) was twice banned by the Danish courts in 2018 and 2021, but it is now active again.

Two Swedish teenagers were placed in pre-trial detention last week following shootings in Kolding and Copenhagen, respectively. The Danish police said the teenagers were recruited to commit crimes through social media.

In Kolding, a man was shot in the leg at least three times.

On Tuesday, a 17-year-old Swede was placed in remand by a court in the Copenhagen district following a shooting incident. The most recent incident took place this week when a hand grenade was thrown into a store in Copenhagen. An 18-year-old was detained.