Turkey arrests one of Sweden's most-wanted suspected gang leaders

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Eexoduis@reddit

A 2 year gang war that resulted in 12 total deaths?

Shit really is sweet in those Nordic countries. For all the crying certain population segments do about immigration and crime, it’s always interesting to see their data relativized.

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spergalot@reddit

We've had 100 gang related bombings and 71 shootings so far in 2025. It's gotten pretty bad

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A lot of Sweden doesn't know how good they have it, but as per usual fear sells. And a good shooting can give you stories to put in the paper at least 5 times over a year or two, amplifying the feeling of fear in people not keeping count.

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Beliriel@reddit

I mean nobody has guns (because they're regulated away unlike some other country) it understandably is a pretty big deal if a shooting happens because it's a sign that there is a bigger organization behind it that is able to source weapons, which is not an easy thing to do.

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MyRedundantOpinion@reddit

Yeah that shit isn’t normal in Europe. We have extremely strict gun laws. So yeah people shooting each other in the streets is massive news, it’s abnormal crime that’s been imported from violent countries.

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slavaukrainaafp@reddit

53 killed only in 2023 from the gang wars, 12 is only between two of the gangs. Sweden is a modern big boy now, have several gangs..

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Aenjeprekemaluci@reddit

Interestingly. Turkey has the habit to rarely follow through arrest warrants. It allows people to stay who flee. Pressure must have been strong or he was even a danger for Turkey

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Laughing_Man_Returns@reddit

Abdo must have run out of money or something.

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Unable_Duck9588@reddit

Abdo isn’t even a Turkish name, so I’m curious who this person even is.

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onespiker@reddit

Or that Erdogan seat is a bit more unsecure than what he wants.

The economy isn't doing great currently.

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Unable_Duck9588@reddit

It’s honestly very overwhelming these days.

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classteen@reddit

Why do you think that all of the cartels in Europe had their HQ in Turkey? Because the state profits from their illegal activities. Increasing gang violence was prominent 5 years ago. Because Turkey at that time had maybe the most corrupt, the most son of a bitch politician I can ever think of, even in Turkey's standarts, which is already way higher than normal. Named Süleyman Soylu. This guy is responsible for almost every Cartel that ever set foot in Turkey because he invited them, welcomed them. I hate this guy even more than Erdoğan. Fucking crook.

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Turkey arrests one of Sweden's most-wanted suspected gang leaders

STOCKHOLM/ISTANBUL, July 4 (Reuters) - One of Sweden's most-wanted suspected gang leaders was taken into custody in Turkey on Friday during a raid on suspected drug traffickers, in what Swedish police described as a major success in the battle against organised crime.

"The arrest is the result of targeted work over time between the Turkish and Swedish judicial systems," Swedish police said in a statement.

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The statement did not identify the suspect, but a Swedish police source and Turkey's TRT Haber state television broadcaster said he was Ismail Abdo, 35, a Swedish-Turkish dual citizen.

More than 12 people have been killed in Sweden since 2023, including Abdo's mother, in what police have described as a gang war between Abdo and a former ally.

TRT Haber reported that Abdo was among 19 suspects detained as part of a major investigation into organised criminal groups involved in international drug trafficking and money laundering.

Authorities also seized assets worth around 1.5 billion Turkish lira ($38 million). Arrest warrants were issued for a further 21 suspects, with four still at large, 14 believed to be abroad and three already in custody on other charges.

In Sweden, the capture of Abdo will provide a major boost for the police and for the right-wing government, which won the 2022 election on a promise to stop a gang crime wave that has plagued the country for over a decade.

Reporting by Johan Ahlander and Ezgi Erkoyun Editing by Peter Graff

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Ezgi Erkoyun, currently a correspondent with Reuters in Turkey, focuses on breaking and economy news. She previously reported for Reuters Gdansk hub in Poland before relocating to Istanbul in 2018, her home since 2009. She enjoys long walks by the Bosphorus, eating good food and secondhand treasure hunting. Ezgi is proud creator of a map full of her recommendations around Istanbul for everyone to get an authentic feeling and taste of the culture and cuisine.

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