The United States announced on Wednesday sanctions against the Swedish crime organization Foxtrot and its leader, Rawa Majid, following their involvement in international criminal activity and attacks against Israelis and Jews in Europe. According to the US Treasury Department statement, the network carried out an attack on the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm in January 2024 at the behest of the Iranian government.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed the decision and said, "Iran's outrageous use of international crime organizations and drug traffickers highlights the regime's attempts to achieve its goals by any means available, regardless of the costs to communities across Europe." According to him, the US and its partners will continue to act against those who promote Iran's violent and destabilizing policies.
In an official statement on the US Treasury Department website, it is emphasized that the Iranian government is increasingly using criminal organizations to achieve its goals, including targeting Israeli and Jewish targets throughout Europe. According to the report, Majid cooperated with Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), which is already under US sanctions.
The Foxtrot network is considered one of the most serious crime groups in Sweden and is involved in extensive criminal activity, including drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, contract killings, and severe violence. According to reports, the network regularly recruits teenagers to carry out attacks, and among other things, is responsible for the murder of a rival gang leader's mother.
The sanctions declared under the presidential order include the seizure of Foxtrot and Majid's property and assets located in the US or under the control of American entities. Additionally, any economic transaction with the network or with Majid is prohibited for American citizens and companies. Foreign entities may also be punished if they attempt to help the network circumvent the sanctions.
The organization's leader, Rawa Majid, is a criminal of Kurdish-Swedish origin who was born in 1986 in the city of Uppsala, north of Stockholm. Throughout his life, he has been convicted of various offenses, including assault, drug-related crimes, and aiding in kidnapping. Since August 2020, he has been internationally wanted for serious crimes in the field of drugs and preparation for murder.
Majid, along with other members of Foxtrot, acquired Turkish citizenship to evade Swedish authorities and continue to manage the network's activities from Turkey. Turkey refuses to extradite him to Sweden due to his Turkish citizenship. In December 2022, indictments were filed against nine people connected to Majid for serious drug and weapons offenses.
