Sweden to tighten control on explosive materials

Plagued by attacks with explosive devices, the Swedish government on Friday presented draft legislation to tighten control on the handling of explosive materials, reported Xinhua.

Last year, there were 107 such attacks, of which 32 in the capital Stockholm and another 40 in the country's southernmost police region. A further 209 attempted bombings were also recorded, according to official statistics.

"There were slightly fewer attacks in 2020 than in 2019, but it is still at an unacceptable level," said Stefan Hector of the Swedish Police's National Operations Department when the draft legislation was presented at a press conference.

"These are weapons used in conflicts between criminals, weapons that strike blindly against everyone in the vicinity," Hector said about the hand grenades and improvised explosive devices used.

The situation has significantly deteriorated in recent years, and to turn the tide, tougher jail sentences were recently introduced for those implicated in incidents involving explosive devices, but Minister for Home Affairs Mikael Damberg sees the need for other measures as well.

"Step by step, we improve our ability to get to criminals who use explosive materials. In December, penalties were tightened for crimes related to the handling and smuggling of explosives, and last year a national bomb data center was set up," he said.

However, further measures are also considered necessary to prevent criminals from using homemade explosive devices.

"Better control over who handles explosive goods is now an important step in the work, and the industry representatives' great commitment and clear will to develop has been of great importance for the proposals we are now presenting," Damberg said when announcing the draft legislation.

To stop unauthorized individuals from accessing explosive materials, the government now wants better checks when issuing licenses. To prevent theft, it also suggests tougher requirements on buildings and facilities where explosive materials are handled.

The amendments to the law are expected to enter into force on Aug. 1.