Swedish citizen arrested in Romania, suspected of armed attacks for hire in Stockholm
A Swedish citizen with an arrest warrant issued by Sweden has been captured in Romania, where he had lived for three years. DIICOT and Europol carried out searches in Bucharest and Otopeni.
Swedish suspect in armed violence in Stockholm arrested after three years in Romania
A Swedish citizen sought by Swedish authorities for alleged involvement in armed attacks for hire has been identified and detained in Romania, according to G4Media. The man had been living in the country for approximately three years.
On Thursday, 3 September, prosecutors from DIICOT – Central Structure and police from the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime carried out two home search warrants in Bucharest and Otopeni.
According to investigators, the suspect is being investigated for acts of extreme violence committed on Swedish territory. One of the facts under investigation dates from September 2024: several people allegedly attempted to kill two victims in a building in Stockholm. One of the attackers allegedly fired at the building, with projectiles passing through the entry door and penetrating the dwelling.
DIICOT claims that the Swedish citizen identified in Romania provided support to the perpetrators of that attack. Swedish authorities categorise his actions as serious illegal threats in the context of firearm use. The case falls within a broader investigation into several contract killings committed in Sweden.
Joint investigation team under Eurojust's coordination
In order to document the activities of the suspect and other individuals in his circle, judicial authorities from Romania and Sweden established, under the coordination of Eurojust, a joint investigation team — JIT (Joint Investigation Team). Representatives of Swedish authorities participated in Thursday's operation, and the action also received support from Europol.
An arrest warrant has been issued in the name of the Swedish citizen. He is to be presented to a judge for rights and freedoms at the Bucharest Court of Appeal.
What investigators found
During the searches on Thursday morning, investigators seized two firearms — one air-powered and one gas-powered — a bulletproof vest, white weapons, quantities of plant material, data storage devices and other evidence. The firearms are to be subject to expert examination.
Second Swedish citizen arrested in Romania
The case is not isolated. At the end of July 2026, authorities identified another Swedish citizen in Romania, whom investigators claim is a member of a rival organised crime group. He was being investigated for conspiracy to murder and also had an arrest warrant. The Bucharest Court of Appeal ordered his preventative arrest with a view to extradition.
DIICOT notes that all persons under investigation benefit from the presumption of innocence and all rights and procedural guarantees provided by law.
Source: G4Media