Sweden Democrats Politicians Resign Amid Hells Angels Controversy
Erik Vessby and Anna Gustafsson from the Sweden Democrats resign after links to Hells Angels emerge.
Key Points
- • Erik Vessby resigns after hiring Hells Angels for debt settlement.
- • Anna Gustafsson also resigns in light of the scandal.
- • Terje Skaarnes condemns the actions, stating they are against SD's values.
- • The case is related to the 2022 gang murder of Linus Bergh.
In a significant political fallout, two politicians from the Sweden Democrats (SD), Erik Vessby and Anna Gustafsson, have resigned from all their political positions in Vänersborg after revelations that Vessby involved the notorious Hells Angels motorcycle gang to settle a business debt. This alarming disclosure, reported by Expressen, is also tied to a serious incident regarding the gang-related murder of Linus Bergh, a former member, which took place in Lidköping in March 2022.
The resignation of Vessby comes as a major blow to the Sweden Democrats, with Terje Skaarnes, the district chairman of SD Fyrbodal, publicly condemning the actions as completely incompatible with the party’s values. "We do not tolerate any connections with criminal networks in our party," Skaarnes stated, reinforcing SD's commitment to integrity and lawful conduct in politics.
The unfolding events have sparked renewed discussions regarding the influence of organized crime within local political spheres, a concerning trend that has drawn attention in recent years. The situation is being closely monitored as more details emerge.
In addition to Vessby’s resignation, his partner, Anna Gustafsson, has also decided to step down from her role, highlighting the pervasive implications of the situation on both their careers and the local political landscape. Together, their resignations signal a stark reaction from the Sweden Democrats to the intertwining of political officials with criminal activities, as illustrated by this high-profile scandal.