Police entered encrypted service - "Has prevented over ten murders"

For a few months this spring, European police and prosecutors were able to read in real time millions of messages on Encrochat, the criminals' encrypted service to be able to communicate in the belief that it was impossible for the authorities to access.

A large number of strikes have been made around Europe, especially in recent months.

Torture chambers have been found in containers in the Netherlands, large-scale drug shipments have been stopped, and planned killings have been prevented.

In Sweden, it is stated that more than ten murders have been prevented.

According to the police, an instigator has been able to sit in a bar abroad and order an execution.

In almost all cases, the motive has been conflict over the drug market.

Several ongoing investigations

According to SVT's survey, several investigations are underway against the upper echelons of the criminal environment based on information from Encrochat.

But relevant evidence in the extensive material is continuously sent to regional police areas.

The evidence will lead to new preliminary investigations for a long time to come, providing new insights into unsolved serious crimes.

- In some cases, it may be evidence in ongoing murder investigations where we previously do not have evidence of success, says Linda H Staaf.

What damage can the information you have received cause the criminal environment?

- We need to continue to do more.

But this has been a good step in that fight, says Linda H Staaf.

Trial begins

Encrochat has so far led to leading criminals in Skåne being arrested on suspicion of having planned a murder and for extensive drug crimes.

In Stockholm, the police have had the help of the Encrochat data to, among other things, strike at the top tier in the Södertälje network.

Tomorrow, a trial begins regarding a serious gun crime in the security room in Stockholm District Court against two people in the network.

- As far as I know, this is the first case where we invoke Encrochat as evidence in court, says Stefan Creutz, Deputy Chief Prosecutor at Södertörn's Public Prosecutor's Office.

 The men, 37 and 34 years old, deny the crime.

- In this investigation, I had pretty good evidence since before, but with the Encro chats that exist, we have been able to tie the weapon even stronger to at least one of the two who are charged, says Stefan Creutz.