Organized crime groups are increasingly using teenagers to carry out assassinations and violent attacks, spreading a new criminal phenomenon across several European countries.
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At the center of the allegations is the Swedish Foxtrot network, which is suspected of approaching young people through social media, offering them money and directing them via messaging apps. Authorities say the process is presented as a “game,” in which recruits receive a series of tasks and instructions.
The case of Swedish national Atilla Azimov has caused serious concern among authorities. The 18-year-old was sentenced to life in prison after mistakenly killing a 20-year-old on the outskirts of Stockholm. Investigations found that he had been hired by the Foxtrot network in exchange for payment.
Since 2022, Swedish authorities have suspected Foxtrot of involvement in dozens of killings and attacks. Investigations have also uncovered suspected links to the Iranian regime’s interests in several operations carried out in Europe.
Another case involves Norwegian national Johannes Natland, who was convicted of planning a murder in the United Kingdom. According to investigators, he was contacted online and subsequently given information about weapons and the target’s location. He was arrested before he could carry out the attack.
Europol says the practice known as “Violence as a Service” (VaaS) is spreading to a growing number of European countries. A special task force involving 11 countries has been established to investigate networks that exploit vulnerable young people for criminal activities.
Experts warn that criminal groups are focusing their recruitment efforts on young people because they are easier to manipulate and often fail to consider the legal consequences of their actions.
Although several leading Foxtrot figures have been arrested, authorities believe the practice of using teenagers to commit acts of violence is now also being adopted by other criminal organizations in Europe.
