The early morning hours of February 2nd, 2024, were shattered by a powerful explosion that rocked a residential building in Sundbyberg, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden. The blast, which occurred just outside the building’s entrance, was so forceful that it reverberated across large swathes of the city. While miraculously no physical injuries were reported, the building sustained significant damage, along with several nearby parked cars. Residents were left shaken and distressed by the incident, with one woman describing her trembling hands and emotional turmoil to reporters. The event sparked immediate investigations, leading to a complex legal case involving multiple interconnected incidents.
The Sundbyberg explosion marked the beginning of a series of events that would unravel a network of alleged criminal activity. Just three days later, another detonation occurred in Handen, a municipality south of Stockholm. This second explosion, also targeting a residential building, caused extensive damage, blowing out a building entrance and several windows. Both explosions were later linked by investigators, pointing towards a potential coordinated effort and raising concerns about escalating violence. The scope of the investigation widened as authorities unearthed connections between the bombings and known criminal figures, leading to the arrest and indictment of three individuals.
Three individuals – a woman and two men, all in their twenties – were subsequently charged in connection with the bombings. Prosecutor Lukas Tigerstrand described the Sundbyberg explosion as extremely serious, noting that heavy steel doors within the building’s stairwell were dislodged and thrown by the force of the blast. Had anyone been in the vicinity at the time of the explosion, they could have suffered severe injuries. The prosecution alleges that at least five kilograms of explosives were used in the Sundbyberg bombing. Chillingly, investigations revealed that a resident had narrowly avoided being caught in the blast, having retrieved a promotional flyer from the explosion site just minutes before the detonation.
The charges filed against the three individuals encompass both the Sundbyberg and Handen explosions. In the Handen incident, at least one kilogram of ”high explosives” was reportedly used. Two of the three accused are implicated in the Handen bombing. The subsequent investigation into this second explosion led to a further discovery: evidence of planned additional attacks and over nine kilograms of explosives found in a residence in Hässelby, a western district of Stockholm. This finding significantly escalated the gravity of the case, suggesting a potential broader threat to public safety.
The emerging narrative surrounding the bombings suggests a link to organized crime. Investigators believe the incidents were perpetrated by individuals associated with Ismail Abdo, a known gang leader, either directly or acting on his behalf. Prosecutor Tigerstrand stated that no other motive could be identified, further solidifying the suspected connection to gang activity. This connection tied the bombings to wider criminal conflicts within Stockholm, particularly involving the Foxtrot network.
Adding another layer of complexity to the case, a man with ties to the criminal network Foxtrot was registered at the address targeted in the Sundbyberg bombing. This individual had previously been convicted of causing a public hazard in late 2023, following an explosion that police linked to a conflict between the Foxtrot network and the Dalennätverket, another criminal organization. This prior conviction further cemented the suspected link between the bombings and ongoing gang rivalries. The legal representatives of two of the accused individuals maintain their clients’ innocence, denying any involvement in the bombings. The lawyer representing the third accused has declined to comment on the case. The upcoming trial will be crucial in uncovering the full truth behind these explosions and determining the extent of the alleged criminal network involved.
