For the first time in two years, the police last week released a survey of criminal networks in the Stockholm area.
It highlights a number of overall trends and phenomena, one of which is "Lawyers".
Under the headline, the police write that "information from both Encrochat and other encrypted chats indicates that the phenomenon of criminal lawyers abusing the trust they are given by the legislation is more widespread than previously known".
- These networks use enablers and specialists in several different ways, in everything from help with criminal schemes and false certificates to conveying information between detained individuals.
And among these specialists and enablers, there are lawyers, some of whom are defense lawyers who in various ways help criminals, says Anna Rise, head of the intelligence unit in the Stockholm police region.
Anna Rise points out that facilitators act voluntarily, but that there are also cases where it happens due to harassment or threats of violence.
Loans and certificates
The big change for the police in the years since the latest survey is spelled Encrochat.
The and other encrypted communication services that have been cracked have given the police a greater insight into the activities of the criminal networks and the use of different types of specialists.
- It is used to a greater extent than we were aware of, and it is used in most types of networks, says Anna Rise.
This type of helper is found in several different professional categories, according to the police.
- We see, for example, auditors who approve false accounts, bank officials who grant loans without coverage.
Politicians who push through ordered decisions.
Doctors who write false certificates and government officials who make decisions on incorrect grounds.
Cases are being investigated
According to Anna Rise, the intelligence unit sees both inappropriate behavior and suspected illegal activity in the material.
- When we see that there is reason to assume that a crime has been committed, we signal it to the investigative activities so that they can try to investigate and gather enough evidence to lead to prosecution.
TT: Have you made such transfers?
- Yes, we did.
TT: Can you say something about the scope?
- No, I do not want to do that.
In the last two years, six lawyers in the Stockholm area have been excluded from the Swedish Bar Association.
Only in two of the cases, concerning the described lawyers "The King" and "The Prince", has this been based on conversations between them and gang criminals in encrypted chats.
When TT asks the police to clarify whether it is these two or more lawyers they are referring to in the writing of the report, we are referred to the writing of the report.
"Far-reaching conclusion"
This is criticized by Mia Edwall Insulander, Secretary General of the Swedish Bar Association, who believes that the wording is too sweeping and imprecise.
- I question whether the two cases would indicate that it is a widespread or increasing phenomenon with criminal lawyers abusing their trust, it is a very far-reaching conclusion, I believe, in light of two cases, says Mia Edwall Insulander.
If the police have evidence of more lawyers, the community receives "great interest" in that information so that the disciplinary committee can try the cases, she adds.
- Because it is the case that there are lawyers who abuse their position to go to criminals' cases, they should be excluded.
TT: What are the consequences of such formulations?
- It is unfortunate because it affects the trust of lawyers, and if you read this you can get the impression that this problem is much more extensive than it is.