Wider deportation rules could lengthen criminal trials

Sweden’s wider deportation rules could lengthen criminal hearings and slow the handling of simpler cases, Malmö District Court warns. The changes expose more people without Swedish citizenship to deportation proceedings.

The court’s concern was reported Saturday by Sveriges Radio, which interviewed chief judge Johan Sjöö. Prosecutors must now seek deportation in qualifying cases involving penalties more severe than fines.

The national rules took effect on 1 September. They lower the threshold for deportation following a criminal conviction and remove the previous stronger protection for people who arrived in Sweden before turning 15.

A prosecutor’s request does not itself decide whether someone will be expelled. Courts must weigh the grounds for deportation against the grounds against it, including the person’s ties to Sweden. Particular protections also apply to specified groups.

The reform also lengthens re-entry bans. Saturday’s warning concerns the additional court workload under rules already in force; it does not establish that hearing delays have yet increased nationwide.

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