[Ryan Robertson]
A VIOLENT EUROPEAN CRIMINAL NETWORK WITH TIES TO IRAN IS NOW FACING U.S. SANCTIONS. THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT IS TARGETING SWEDEN’S FOXTROT NETWORK, ACCUSING THE GANG OF TRAFFICKING DRUGS AND WEAPONS, CONTRACT KILLINGS, AND AN ATTACK ON THE ISRAELI EMBASSY IN STOCKHOLM LAST YEAR.
THE GROUP’S FUGITIVE LEADER, RAWA MAJID, IS ACCUSED OF COLLABORATING WITH IRANIAN INTELLIGENCE.WHICH FITS WITH TEHRAN’S TREND OF USING CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS TO FURTHER ITS AGENDA IN EUROPE. AS SWEDEN GRAPPLES WITH RISING GANG VIOLENCE, U.S. OFFICIALS SAY THESE SANCTIONS WILL CUT OFF FUNDING TO THE NETWORKS FUELING THE INSTABILITY.
MAJID, ALSO KNOWN AS THE “KURDISH FOX,” REPORTEDLY COOPERATED WITH IRAN’S MINISTRY OF INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY AFTER BEING ARRESTED IN IRAN. HE WAS GIVEN A CHOICE BETWEEN COLLABORATION OR IMPRISONMENT.
SWEDISH AUTHORITIES CALLED THE israeli embassy attack A TERRORIST ACT AFTER DISCOVERING AN “explosive device” . THE INCIDENT FOLLOWED REPORTS IRANIAN OPERATIVES RECRUITED GANG MEMBERS IN SWEDEN TO CARRY OUT VIOLENT ACTS.
THE FOXTROT NETWORK IS ONE OF SWEDEN’S MOST NOTORIOUS CRIMINAL GANGS. AUTHORITIES SAY IT IS ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S LEADING DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS AND REGULARLY USES TEENAGERS TO CARRY OUT ATTACKS.
THE U.S. SANCTIONS FREEZE ANY ASSETS CONNECTED TO THE FOXTROT NETWORK OR MAJID UNDER U.S. JURISDICTION AND PROHIBIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS WITH THEM.
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