The question is said to have been raised at the party executive committee's working committee on Wednesday, according to TV4 News.
The party leadership is discussing various measures, including how the party should act regarding party representatives in the country who have ties to motorcycle gangs and, for example, support Hells Angels.
The question is whether you can represent us and at the same time be associated with these organizations, says one of those who participated in the discussion to TV4.
Several SD representatives around the country have shown support for criminal motorcycle gangs, which Expressen has reported on.
Have been to HA parties
Prior to the 2022 election, a report from Acta Publica revealed that a total of 64 candidates had ties to criminal motorcycle gangs. Of these, 38 were Sweden Democrats, and they were generally allowed to remain on the lists.
One example is Berry Hasselqvist, who for several years was vice president of a Hells Angels-loyal motorcycle club. Today, he is a substitute in the technical committee and a member of the environmental committee in Mölndal Municipality. Berry Hasselqvist does not want to comment on his stance on Hells Angels today, according to Expressen.
Rune Öhlund, group leader for SD in the municipal council in Sigtuna, is still a member of a closed Facebook group in support of Hells Angels Uppsala. When Expressen calls, he leaves and says he takes a distance from the club.
In addition, Jimmie Åkesson has, on several occasions, invited people with ties to the criminal motorcycle environment to parties, according to Expressen.
"Does not take a distance"
For example, Ulf Hansen, drummer in Ultima Thule, with a background in a Hells Angels-loyal motorcycle club.
I don't take a distance. I have so many good friends who are there and I will continue to know them even after our conversation, he says to the newspaper.
When asked how he views the police's assessment that they are a criminal network, Hansen responds:
I don't believe that.
Jimmie Åkesson has previously stated that ties to criminal motorcycle gangs are not desirable.
I think you should take a distance from Hells Angels, especially if you want to be a trustee, said the SD leader before the 2022 election.
From SD's press department, the message was this week:
”We have previously clarified that as a trustee for the Sweden Democrats, you should take a distance from all forms of criminal organizations. This message remains."
Swedish police use the EU's definition of serious organized crime, which consists of eleven criteria, including:
Cooperation between more than two people, suspicion of serious criminal offenses, use of violence or other methods of threat, use of commercial or business structures, undue influence on politics, media, public administration, law enforcement agencies or economy, and striving for gain and/or power.
According to Expressen, the police believe that Hells Angels and Bandidos meet all eleven criteria.
Source: Noa, Expressen
