Sweden’s leader turns to the military for help as gang violence escalates

By KARL RITTER
Associated Press

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden’s prime minister has summoned the head of the military to discuss how the armed forces can help police deal with an unprecedented crime wave that has shocked the country with almost daily shootings and bombings. Getting the military involved in crime-fighting would be a highly unusual step for Sweden. The potential move underscores the severity of the gang violence that has claimed a dozen lives across the country this month. The victims include teenagers and innocent bystanders. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that he would meet with the armed forces’ supreme commander and the national police commissioner on Friday to explore “how the armed forces can help police in their work against the criminal gangs.”