-

Authors:

  • Hannah Pollack Sarnecki
  • Julia Englander
  • Johan Evasdotter Dencker

Publish date: 2026-11-09

Report number: FOI-R--6002--SE

Pages: 276

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • extremism
  • politically motivated violence-related crime
  • violent subcultures
  • digital milieus
  • political propaganda
  • influence activities
  • conspiracy theories
  • dehumanization
  • racism
  • antisemitism
  • misogyny
  • nihilism
  • misanthropy
  • radicalization
  • political violence
  • terrorism

Abstract

This study examines politically motivated violent offences in Sweden and key aspects of contemporary extremism. A wide range of ideological environments and offences are identified, everything from murder, arson, and school attacks to violent riots and sabotage against emergency services is analyzed. A main focus of the study is the role ideology plays for contemporary extremist actors, and how its presence in digital spaces shapes the offences studied. Other key topics include how new violent subcultures relate to more established forms of extremism. The report also covers aspects of radicalization and possible warning signs, as well as connections between extremism, authoritarian regimes, and other criminal networks. The study provides up-to-date data on offences committed by Swedish extremist actors in a broad sense. Among other things, it contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between propaganda, radicalization, and political violence. The methodological approach is primarily qualitative, and the empirical material consists of legal documentation complemented by observations in digital environments.