Sweden Democrats Under Fire for Alleged Ties to Motorcycle Gangs
Allegations emerge linking Sweden Democrats to motorcycle gangs, prompting calls for investigation.
Key Points
- • Gunnar Strömmer demands action from SD on alleged gang ties.
- • Erik Vessby and Lennart Anderberg are linked to criminal gangs.
- • SD defends itself against accusations, framing them as isolated incidents.
- • Opposition parties criticize SD for a pattern of gang associations.
On May 29, 2025, Justitieminister Gunnar Strömmer has officially demanded that the Sweden Democrats (SD) thoroughly investigate connections between their politicians and criminal motorcycle gangs like the Hells Angels. These demands come on the heels of revelations by the media that implicated various SD members, including Erik Vessby, a local politician in Vänersborg, and Lennart Anderberg, who has links to a supporter club for the Hells Angels.
Strömmer highlighted the gravity of these allegations, stating, "Any suspected connections between elected officials and criminal elements are extremely serious," and confirmed there is a growing concern surrounding the SD's links to crime. He further criticized the party for these ongoing patterns while also alluding to past connections the Social Democrats have had with criminal gangs, reinforcing the need for accountability from all political parties.
Vessby has been specifically cited for allegedly seeking help from Hells Angels concerning a debt, a situation that police suggest was related to a high-profile murder tied to gang activity. This raises significant questions about the potential influence of criminal elements within the SD ranks. Meanwhile, Anderberg, who has held multiple influential local positions since 2014, has denied any intentional affiliations with the Hells Angels despite reports linking him to the motorcycle gang’s supporter club, prompting concerns from his colleague Niclas Bengtsson about the implications for the party's public image.
The accusations have reignited political tensions, particularly with opposition parties like the Social Democrats who demand more stringent oversight and accountability. They accuse SD of normalizing associations with gangsters, citing past incidents involving the party's leadership.
In response, the leadership of the Sweden Democrats, including press chief Oskar Cavalli-Björkman, dismissed these accusations as misrepresentations of isolated local issues and have vowed to investigate all claims rigorously. The political fallout from these connections could significantly impact the party's standing as Sweden approaches the next elections, with a need to restore public confidence.