Response to interpellation 2024/25:311 on the Enforcement Authority's sale of bulletproof vests
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
The debate concerns the Enforcement Authority's sale of seized property, specifically bulletproof vests. M considers the sale to be legitimate as the proceeds go to the public or crime victims 1 2 and emphasizes the importance of maintaining the willingness to pay and achieving a good economic result 3. M is prepared to investigate a system where the state buys up the products 1 2 and argues that Sweden has a moral obligation to uphold the sanctions regime 3 2. MP proposes that the state should buy back the products to prevent gang criminals from purchasing them 4. MP wants the Ministry of Finance to review the regulatory framework for a possible tightening 5 and argues that the sanctions against Russia should be strengthened 4. MP believes that the income to Russia should be choked off through reduced purchases of oil and gas 6. M argues that it is important to think innovatively and see what can be done with things of great importance.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)
Mr. Speaker! Rasmus Ling has asked me if I will take any initiative to tighten the Swedish Enforcement Authority's regulations regarding the authority's auctions of, for example, bulletproof vests. He has also asked if I will work to ensure that such products can be purchased by the state and donated to Ukraine.
Rasmus Lings' questions target two areas that are, of course, completely central to this government, both the fight against organized crime and the support for Ukraine. In this work, it is of course important to keep the door open for measures of various kinds.
If I may begin with the Enforcement Authority's collection of entitled claims, I can say that it is crucial both for maintaining the willingness to pay and for a well-functioning society—seen from the individual's perspective but also seen from the companies' perspective. When an execution is carried out, the goal is that the creditor shall receive payment for their claim. As a general principle, it applies that the sale of executed property shall take place in a way that yields as good a financial result as possible. It occurs that bulletproof vests, which in that case were not judged to be war materiel, are sold forcibly for the payment of the debtor's debts.
The Swedish Enforcement Authority collects large amounts annually. During 2023, that figure reached nearly 15 billion kronor. Barely half occurs for general goals, and in that way, the operations contribute to ensuring the financing of the public sector. The collection is also important to increase the possibility of restitution through the payment of damages to crime victims. During last year, just over 370 million kronor were collected for the payment of that type of debt.
As Rasmus Ling has also pointed out, improved opportunities to carry out distraint remotely has resulted in a large increase in seized valuable property. During the last year alone, property equivalent to 100 million kronor has been collected in that manner.
The occurrence of firearms, as well as the use of bulletproof vests, in criminal circles has increased. Through the new forfeiture reform, independent forfeiture, which entered into force just over two months ago, the possibilities to forfeit property have increased if there is a specific reason to fear that the object may be used in connection with a crime. This means that it is now to a greater extent than before possible to forfeit, among other things, bulletproof vests. Property that is forfeited shall either be neutralized, destroyed, or sold. That there are effective and expedient possibilities to forfeit that type of items is of central importance for crime-fighting activities.
When it comes to Ukraine, we can state that Sweden is one of the largest donors. Continued military support will be aimed partly at maintaining already donated materiel, and partly at providing new defense capabilities to the Ukrainian Defense Forces through bi- or multilateral cooperation. Since the total military support to Ukraine is extensive, coordination is required to achieve the best possible effect.
Two of the government's most prioritized issues are to push back organized crime and to ensure that the support for Ukraine remains strong, long-term, and persistent. The measures taken must be well-thought-out and aimed at making a real difference. I am ready to listen to all concrete proposals for measures that can be useful in this regard and look forward to continuing the discussion on these issues.
Rasmus Ling (MP)
Mr. Speaker! In training in political communication, the advice is always given that one should stick to one issue at a time, because if one talks about several things, one risks losing the audience. But I take the risk in this interpellation, because I believe that we both can and should keep several issues in mind at the same time and that it is also important to do so.
This interpellation is partly about organized crime and the sales made by the Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden), and partly about how we can address perhaps the greatest existential issue at the European level, namely the war in Ukraine and the threat from Russia, which is a threat to all democratic countries in our part of the world.
The proposal that I have presented here is that the state shall buy from the state – the state shall, therefore, buy items that the Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden) has out for sale and which otherwise risk being purchased by gang criminals. Perhaps the most clear example of this is protective vests. Protective vests actively appear in these environments and are used to demonstrate that there is a capacity for violence. Unlike weapons, protective vests are not prohibited, so one can show that they are a person who moves in such environments and thereby intimidate without committing any crime.
There is, therefore, an interest in limiting this, which would then occur at a second-hand price. If one were to do it in this way, creditors would also receive payment; as the Minister for Justice says, it is the Enforcement Authority's core mission. If the equipment were then donated to Ukraine, it could, admittedly on the margins, contribute to helping Ukraine.
I and the Minister for Justice both have a fondness for weighing conflicting goals against each other in different ways, and this would actually be a win-win-win solution - not something revolutionary but still something that would disturb the gangs, support Ukraine and ensure that creditors get paid. I believe therefore that it would be wise to look closer at this.
Mr. Speaker! There is no doubt that Ukraine's struggle for peace, freedom, and self-determination against the despot Vladimir Putin and the state terrorism that Russia commits and has committed is one of our time's most decisive issues, naturally for Ukraine but also for us in Sweden and for our entire part of the world.
Sweden is one of the larger donors to Ukraine, says the Minister for Justice. Absolutely, we are doing a lot, but we must also constantly keep in mind that we can and need to do more. There are other countries that are doing even more. Our Nordic neighbors, for example Denmark, and also our Baltic neighbors give a larger share of their GDP than we do.
We should strive not to be among the best or mediocre in this. We should be at the forefront and do everything we can to support Ukraine now and also in the long term for as long as it is needed.
Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)
Mr. Speaker! Thanks to Rasmus Ling for the opportunity to discuss this important issue today!
First, I want to emphasize what an enormous strength it is that we have such broad support here in the chamber and, I dare say, in our entire society for the support that Sweden gives to Ukraine. This applies, of course, to both the military support and other support. That we maintain it, not least in the time we are living in now with an uncertain global situation, is absolutely crucial. That is what I really want to emphasize.
I also agree with Rasmus Ling on the importance of moving the positions forward and also daring to think a bit innovatively in how this support can be designed.
The first thing I want to say regarding the concrete question concerning the bulletproof vests is that the Swedish Enforcement Authority's activity when it comes to sales is, of course, fully legitimate based on the mandate that the Swedish Enforcement Authority has. The proceeds from the sales go either to the public treasury or to crime victims, and that is fundamentally exactly how it is intended to function. There is, therefore, a legitimacy in this.
As a citizen, it is difficult, if I may say so, not to experience it as something offensive when it becomes a commercial for bulletproof vests within criminal networks with the state as a kind of intermediary. Therefore, I still think the question is justified. And even if it might have been one or two questions more than what some political communicators might possibly recommend the interpellor or, for that matter, the minister to juggle here, I still do not think the connection or the question is particularly misguided.
Let me just say today that I think it is an interesting angle on the question. However, I do not have complete autonomy over the question, so I will gladly take it with me and see if there are others who are closer to the issues in the system who may have thought in similar ways and whether this is something that can be moved forward with or, for various reasons, cannot be moved forward with.
As was said: All compliments to Rasmus Lings' innovative thinking in this area! We need more of that in order to be able to sustainably support Ukraine.
Rasmus Ling (MP)
Mr. Speaker! I am aware that the Swedish Enforcement Authority (Kronofogdemyndigheten) falls under the Minister for Finance and the Ministry of Finance and not the Ministry of Justice. I initially wrote the interpellation to Elisabeth Svantesson, but it was handed over, and I am glad that Gunnar Strömmer had the opportunity to answer instead.
Mr. Speaker! I am also pleased that there is broad support in the chamber and that in all essential matters there has been such support since the full-scale invasion. Just a couple of days after the invasion had begun, almost everyone in the Swedish Riksdag agreed that weapons should be sent to Ukraine. It is well 17 support packages that have been given during this time, and I believe that all except the very first have occurred in full unanimity. It is naturally a strength.
A democracy is built on differences of opinion and on the fact that people think differently, but I also think it is a strength that in certain issues people think alike and have a broad consensus. When it comes to something like this, it is good that one is completely in agreement at least regarding the direction.
Mr. Speaker! It is important that the support for Ukraine is high and long-term. I will also say something briefly about the sanctions against Russia, which need to be strengthened even further. That trade with oil and gas to the EU, which has also reached Sweden, is still occurring is not acceptable. This should be stopped by the EU as soon as possible.
Mr. Speaker! Regarding the regulatory framework for the Swedish Enforcement Authority's sale of products so that creditors can receive payment, I believe it would be good to send to the Ministry of Finance that a tightening may be needed. Just as the state and society at large may need to look at issues in new ways, as organized crime grows in the alarming and horrific way it does, the Swedish Enforcement Authority may also need to be part of this.
I am convinced that very many citizens do not think it is acceptable that bulletproof vests, knives and other items are sold to gang criminals. I believe that this is something that needs to be reviewed.
Mr. Speaker! Of course, the support must also take place in a coordinated and efficient manner. We have seen during this time that the state has succeeded in doing so in a proper way. The Armed Forces have been able to do this, but many civil organizations and private individuals have also been able to do it in a very good way. Blågula Bilen is an example. They have made trip after trip and donated passenger cars, trucks, and even other things. We must also keep in mind that while military support is of central importance, Ukraine is also in need of many other things. This applies not least on the civilian side, on the healthcare side, and so on.
I look forward to Gunnar Strömmer being able to take this and see if one can design some system for this.
Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)
Mr. Speaker! I want to confirm the importance of maintaining the support for Ukraine - both the military support, the civilian support and support of other kinds that are of importance for Ukraine.
It is clear that everything starts here at home, so it is important that we in Sweden ensure that we continue with that support. It is also important that we, together with like-minded countries within the Nordics, the Baltics, and the EU, ensure that the collective support for Ukraine that we can oversee and influence is intact and sustained. It is, so to speak, a moral obligation that we have every reason to truly live up to.
When it comes to the sanctions, which are sometimes a bit controversial, I want to emphasize that they have an effect. When we fail to maintain the sanctions regime in the way it is intended, those effects are diminished. I also think it is important to take away from this discussion that we have a responsibility as a country to ensure that, at the EU level, the pressure is kept up in the sanctions regime. We also need to ensure here at home that the regulations are followed. One such concrete thing is that we have not had particularly many cases that have been judicially reviewed in those parts in our own country. There are now assignments to various agencies to move the positions forward as well, in order to ensure that the sanctions regime is complied with in Sweden in an even better way than until now.
I bring up the question of the bulletproof vests, because I actually believe that many citizens, just like Rasmus Ling, perceive that there is something offensive in that turnover with the state as an intermediary. I do not say this with the aim of questioning the Swedish Enforcement Authority's activities, because they are, as mentioned, completely legitimate. They also serve a very important societal purpose because the proceeds go to the public. People who have lent money get paid, and crime victims receive compensation.
I say, as mentioned, that this was not a rejection or a questioning, but I think the observation is justified. I will take it with me and see what other insightful people, with the opportunity to assess the issue in a better way than I can, have to say about the proposal.
But, as said, all credit to Rasmus Ling for the innovative thinking in this area on a very pressing issue!
Rasmus Ling (MP)
Mr. Speaker! I want to say that the inspiration for the proposal I have submitted comes from Latvia. I have read about the system they introduced in Latvia where cars seized after serious drunk driving offenses have been taken into custody and donated to Ukraine. It was against that background that I wondered if something similar could be had for the Swedish part. I believe there are examples in several European countries of how innovative ideas and proposals have been able to increase support. The Latvian example can be one, but this could be another.
Mr. Speaker! I agree with Gunnar Strömmer that the sanctions against Russia naturally have an effect. They also have an effect in cases where the sanctions do not work, so it is important to maintain them. In the areas where sanctions have not been introduced in the same way – especially regarding oil and gas, which several countries in Europe have continued to purchase – it would have an effect if the revenues to Russia could be choked off that way.
Finally, I want to say that I am pleased with the positive approach from the Minister for Justice. I look forward to taking this further. We are naturally in agreement regarding the Enforcement Authority's basic mandate when it comes to collecting money, but when it comes to certain products – body armor can be one, knives can be another – which are not subject to licensing, one could consider having some form of system so that not just anyone can have them. That would be something the Ministry of Justice would have oversight over.
I am in any case glad that this question will be taken further, because I believe that this is important to review.
Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)
Mr. Speaker! I would like to thank Rasmus Ling for raising today the very concrete issue of body armor, also in light of the much broader issue of the importance of maintaining generous support for Ukraine regarding both the military side and the civilian needs that exist in Ukraine.
I also think that today's exchange of views underlines the importance of having the strength to continue thinking innovatively. One could say that the support itself was innovative in the first stage. Providing military support to a European neighboring country in connection with a war was, in itself, a very large step for Sweden from a historical perspective.
With that said, it is important to continue thinking anew and take inspiration from other countries. It is also important to see what we can do regarding things that have great significance in substance but which perhaps also contain a symbolic power that can be important both for Ukraine and for our own society.
I would like to thank you for today's input on the concrete issue and for a good discussion. I will see what I can do to move the issue forward in a constructive and good way.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.