Brödraskapet: Difference between revisions

 

'''Brödraskapet (The Brotherhood) Swedish prison gang'''

 

'''Brödraskapet''' ([[Swedish language|Swedish]] for ''The Brotherhood''), shortend '''BSK''', is a [[Sweden|Swedish]] [[prison gang]] that was founded on May 27, 1995 by inmates inside the [[Kumla Prison|maximum security prison]] in [[Kumla]], Sweden.<ref>[http://www.brodraskapet.se The name Brödraskapet (The Brotherhood)]</ref> The police in Sweden consider The Brotherhood to be a criminal organization in regards to the [[European Union|EU]] criteria for [[organized crime]].<ref>[http://www.bra.se/extra/pod/?action=pod_show&id=221&module_instance=12 BRÅ Hur organiserad är brottsligheten]</ref>

 

=== The Brotherhood expands ===

In 2002, The Brotherhood expanded its organization outside the prison walls and founded new chapters in Helsingborg and Kristianstad.[20] A support organization called “BSK Support” was also formed. Support crews were organized in the cities of Göteborg, Västerås, Helsingborg, kristianstad, Uddevalla and Katrineholm. They also recruited members to the support organization inside the prisons. The Police estimate the gang’s numbers to 60-70 members during 2002-2003. About two thirds of the gang’s members were outside the prisons at this time, which was deemed very unusual. At the end of 2002 a National chapter was founded. This chapter was believed to have a national responsibility and be able to make decisions in overall questions. A Member from Västerås was elected National President. A member from Helsingborg became National Vice President and a member from Göteborg became Sgt. at arms. In 2003 the gang was highly active on the west coast and in the south of Sweden. Despite this, there were only a few members doing time during this year.

But this was soon about to change. The Police in the Göteborg district came down hard on the gang and in 2004 some 20 members of the Brotherhood were jailed and convicted in a number of cases concerning illegal drugs, assault and battery, abduction etc. Only a handful of members from the Göteborg chapter remained on the outside in the fall of 2004. Despite The Police efforts the effect that this had on the gang’s activities was less than expected.[21] [22] [23]