Södertälje mafia
| Founded | Early 1980s |
|---|---|
| Founding location | Sweden |
| Territory | Södertälje, Botkyrka, Stockholm |
| Ethnicity | Syriac-Arameans |
| Membership | 75-100 people |
| Criminal activities | illegal drug trade, murder, welfare fraud, extortion, loan sharking, money laundering, assault, contract killing. |
The Södertälje mafia (Swedish: Södertäljenätverket), also known as the Södertälje network, is an Syriac-Aramean criminal organisation, according to some testimonials to have 75–100 people, based in Södertälje.
The criminal organization is based on family, kinship and the notion of a common origin. There is not a single person or a particular family that leads the organization, which is based on a tradition of cooperation and exchange of services within and between the families. In September 2014 the Svea Court of Appeal in Stockholm confirmed the existence of a criminal organization in Södertälje, with an extensive power structure with ramifications into politics and the welfare sector.According to Police information in October 2019, the organization is still growing and gaining more power.
Up to today, the mafia group has been successful in connecting with people in important positions in the Södertälje Municipality, using gambling clubs and the Syriac Orthodox Church to make connections. A chairman of the St. Aphrem Cathedral in the city is alleged to have connections to the group, but the church has denied these allegations.