A key figure in a multinational criminal network that has allegedly been used by Iran to target Jews and Israelis in Sweden was arrested in Iraq, the Swedish Police and Europol announced on Monday.
The 21-year-old Swedish national, listed as one of Europol’s most wanted and a leading member of the Foxtrot network, was arrested in December. The suspect was wanted in Sweden for instigating several murders, attempted murders, and conspiracies to commit murder.
While the Swedish Police did not name the suspect – who is in the process of being extradited from Iraq to Sweden – he is the same age as Swedish citizen Ali Shehab Ahmed, who was listed and removed recently from Europol’s most wanted list.
Swedish police said on Monday that they believed the suspect’s arrest would have a significant impact on Foxtrot’s ability to operate internationally and degrade criminal organizations used by foreign countries for “crime directed against Sweden.”
In May 2024, the Swedish Security Service announced that the Islamic regime in Iran was using criminal networks to target Iranian dissidents, Israelis, Jews, and their interests in Sweden.
Suspect framed for several crimes across Europe
The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Foxtrot and its fugitive leader Rawa Majid in March for attacks on behalf of Iran against Jews and Israelis in Europe, including the January 2024 attack on the Stockholm Israeli embassy.
Another person in connection to Foxtrot and the 21-year-old suspect did not provide more details other than that he faced charges for conspiracy to commit murder, gross public destruction, aiding and abetting a violation of the Act on Flammable and Explosive Goods, and involving a minor in crime.
As noted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, in addition to trafficking in illicit drugs, Foxtrot also routinely performs contract killings, often using minors as their hitmen.
The suspect was of high interest to Europol’s operation, Grimm, which was formed to address contract killing and violence services.
According to Europol, the 21-year-old played a central role in coordinating “violence-as-a-service,” including the recruitment and exploitation of minors.
The Swedish Police said they had cooperated with Iraqi authorities on the matter, with both states seeking to counter assassinations in their respective countries. “We are very grateful for the close and professional cooperation with our Iraqi counterparts. It shows what is possible when authorities work together with a shared focus and responsibility,” said Deputy National Police Commissioner Stefan Hector.
On December 16, the same month the suspect was reportedly arrested, the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council’s National Center for International Judicial Cooperation (NCIJ) announced that it had met with a Swedish delegation from the Swedish Justice Ministry to discuss mutual legal assistance, the extradition of criminals, and joint efforts to address “cross-border legal challenges.”
Other Foxtrot network criminal leaders have been arrested in a simultaneous raid in multiple provinces, according to the Iraqi National Intelligence Service. The operation was conducted in coordination with local security authorities and the NCIJ; many of the people arrested reportedly had local and international warrants for their arrest.
The same day, the National Center announced the arrest of Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami at the request of Australia.
“He is involved with outlaw gangs that have extensive influence within Australia and the Middle East and are responsible for carrying out murders, shootings, money laundering, fraud, assaults, arson, and drug trafficking on a global level,” alleged the NCIJ.
Hamad had previously been identified by Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett as her “number one priority” and a “national security threat,” not only for his alleged criminal enterprise but also for his suspected connections to the arson attacks on the Adass Israel Synagogue and Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney in October 2024, which were orchestrated by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps through local criminal organizations.