Moderates seek harsher penalties for stalking
The Swedish Moderate Party proposes raising the minimum sentence for stalking from six months to one year. The party aims to provide better protection for victims through tougher penalties. The proposal is presented in a motion to parliament.
Sweden's parliament is currently addressing the penalty scale for stalking, which under the penal code can result in up to two years in prison. The Moderate Party, a leading opposition party, argues that the minimum sentence is too low and does not sufficiently deter offenders.
According to the party's justice policy spokesperson, the Moderates want to amend the penalty scale to raise the minimum to one year. "Stalking is a serious crime that destroys people's lives. We need harsher penalties to protect the vulnerable," says [spokesperson's name] in an interview with Aftonbladet.
The proposal comes at a time when reported cases of stalking have increased in Sweden. In recent years, police have recorded more incidents, often linked to former relationships or online harassment. The Moderates point out that current penalties do not match the severity of the crime and that victims' suffering is often long-term.
The motion will be submitted ahead of parliament's spring decisions and discussed in the justice committee. Critics from other parties have previously warned that penalty increases alone do not solve the problems, but that preventive measures are needed. Still, the Moderates' proposal is seen as a step toward a tougher line in criminal policy.