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Sweden has a history of welcoming immigrants - in sharp contrast to a number of other European Union neighbors such as the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. However, police in Sweden are becoming concerned that the country's relaxed policies on immigration may cause it to become a safe-haven for war criminals.
Officials would like to see more resources dedicated to perform background checks on immigrants seeking asylum.
Sweden is currently dealing with a large influx of refugees from such places as Africa, the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The country is taking the lead in providing refuge for Iraqis - 9,000 Iraqis were granted asylum in 2006 - and has asked for help from the European Union in shouldering the load.
Swedish police are worried that some people who may have engeaged in war crimes have been able to secure residency in Sweden because authorities are unable to perform adequate background checks.
According to Pim Martinsson of the National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), up to 1,000 war crimes suspects may be hiding in Sweden. He warns that the number could rise in the future if measures are not taken to properly screen incoming refugees.
He also stated that other European countries have similar concerns. Finland recently arrested a Rwandan asylum seeker suspected of being involved in the genocide that took place in his country in 1994.
Currently, Sweden has a four-man unit dedicated to investigating suspected war criminals, with about 30 cases in the preliminary stages, according to Martinsson. A report released in January suggested that a larger task force was needed to help track down war criminals. The National Police Board is expected to rule on the proposal in the next few months, according to the head of the NCID.
In 2006, Sweden took in more than 24,000 asylum seekers.
Related:
• Sweden wants EU to help with Iraq refugees• EU - Sweden opens labour market to new EU workers
• Immigration to Sweden reaches new record
• Finland grants asylum and residence permits to dozens of Chechens
• UK to toughen border controls even further
• European Union changes in security, police and immigration cooperative efforts
• EU sets 2007 target for scrapping border controls
• European Union and United States discussions on traveler data, again
