TL;DR
A 21-year-old Swedish man wanted on multiple murder-related charges has been detained in Iraq and is being processed for extradition, Swedish police say. Authorities link him to the Foxtrot criminal network and allege the group recruited and exploited minors for violence-as-a-service operations.
What happened
Swedish authorities say a 21-year-old Swedish man was arrested in Iraq in December following a joint investigation with Iraqi police. The suspect is wanted in Sweden on counts that include instigated murder, instigated attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, and extradition proceedings are underway. Police describe him as a central coordinator of violence-as-a-service tied to the Foxtrot criminal network, alleging the network recruited and exploited children and young people — including young people with disabilities — to carry out serious violent acts. The individual is described as a high-value target linked to Europol’s Operational Taskforce GRIMM, which was formed to tackle violence-as-a-service and related cross-border violent crime. Separately, Swedish authorities say a second unnamed person connected to Foxtrot was arrested and remanded in absentia by Gothenburg District Court on a range of charges including conspiracy to commit murder and involving a minor in crime.
Why it matters
- The arrest highlights the cross-border scope of modern organized crime that combines online coordination with real-world violence.
- Police allege systematic recruitment and exploitation of minors, raising concerns about youth vulnerability and coercion in criminal networks.
- It underscores international cooperation — including Iraqi and Swedish authorities and Europol-linked taskforces — in pursuing transnational violent crime.
- The case appears to be part of a broader rise in cyber-enabled criminal groups turning to physical violence for profit.
Key facts
- Suspect: a 21-year-old Swedish man; name not released by authorities.
- Location of arrest: Iraq; arrest occurred in December as part of a coordinated Iraqi-Swedish investigation.
- Charges listed by Swedish Police Authority include instigated murder, instigated attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
- Police link the suspect to the Foxtrot criminal network and allege he coordinated 'violence-as-a-service' operations.
- Authorities say Foxtrot and the Dalen network 'systematically exploited children and young people, including young people with disabilities.'
- The suspect is described as a 'high-value target' connected to Europol’s Operational Taskforce (OTF) GRIMM.
- A second, unnamed individual connected to Foxtrot was arrested and remanded in absentia by Gothenburg District Court on multiple charges, including involving a minor in crime.
- GRIMM was launched in April 2025 and involves investigators from several European countries alongside Europol experts and online service providers.
- During GRIMM’s first six months, police said 193 people were arrested, including minors accused of involvement in murder plots.
- Investigators note links between members of these violent groups and other cybercrime collectives such as The Com and Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters; a subset known as IRL Com has drawn warnings from the FBI.
What to watch next
- Outcome and timing of the extradition proceedings for the arrested suspect (not confirmed in the source).
- Whether Swedish prosecutors will formally charge the detainee after extradition and details of any indictment (not confirmed in the source).
- Further arrests or cross-border operations targeting Foxtrot or related networks as investigators pursue other suspects (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Violence-as-a-service: A term describing organized groups that coordinate and provide real-world violent acts on behalf of clients or other criminal actors.
- Extradition: The legal process by which one country surrenders a suspected or convicted criminal to another country for prosecution or punishment.
- Europol: The European Union’s law enforcement agency that supports member states in combating serious cross-border crime and terrorism.
- Operational Taskforce (OTF) GRIMM: A multi-country investigative effort established to target violence-as-a-service and cross-border violent crime (as described in the source).
Reader FAQ
Who was arrested?
A 21-year-old Swedish man; authorities have not released his name.
Where and when did the arrest take place?
The arrest occurred in Iraq in December as part of a coordinated Iraqi-Swedish operation.
What charges does he face?
Swedish authorities say he is wanted for instigated murder, instigated attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Is the extradition complete?
Extradition proceedings are underway; the outcome is not confirmed in the source.
Was Europol involved?
The suspect is described as linked to Europol’s OTF GRIMM, a taskforce focused on violence-as-a-service and cross-border violent crime.
CYBER-CRIME 'Violence-as-a-service' suspect arrested in Iraq, extradition underway Gang members 'systematically exploited children and young people,' cops say Jessica Lyons Mon 12 Jan 2026 // 22:40 UTC A 21-year-old Swedish man accused of being…
Sources
- 'Violence-as-a-service' suspect arrested in Iraq, extradition underway
- Swedish organiser of serious violence arrested in Iraq – Europol
- 'Violence-as-a-service' suspect arrested
- Iraq extradites prominent gang leader to Sweden
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