U.S. Freezes Assets of Iran-Backed Crime Gang Targeting Israelis

Washington has announced sanctions against the Swedish crime organization Foxtrot and its leader over their involvement in international criminal activity and attacks against Israelis and Jews. 

The United States introduced sanctions on Wednesday targeting the Swedish criminal syndicate Foxtrot and its leader, Rawa Majid, for their involvement in international crime and targeted attacks on Israelis and Jews in Europe. The U.S. Treasury Department disclosed that Foxtrot, acting under the direction of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS)—already subject to U.S. sanctions—orchestrated a January 2024 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm. This incident is part of a broader pattern, as the Treasury noted Iran’s increasing reliance on criminal organizations to target Israeli and Jewish communities across Europe, a tactic that reflects Tehran’s destabilizing ambitions in the region.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sharply criticized Iran’s methods, stating, “Iran’s outrageous use of international crime organizations and drug traffickers highlights the regime’s attempts to achieve its goals by any means available, regardless of the costs to communities across Europe.” He reaffirmed the commitment of the U.S. and its allies to take decisive action against those who enable Iran’s violent and disruptive policies, signaling a broader effort to curb Tehran’s influence through proxy networks.

Foxtrot is widely regarded as one of Sweden’s most dangerous criminal organizations, deeply entrenched in activities such as drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, contract killings, and acts of severe violence. The group has a notorious reputation for recruiting teenagers to carry out its attacks, a strategy that has amplified its reach and impact. Among its documented crimes, Foxtrot is responsible for the murder of a rival gang leader’s mother, alongside numerous other violent acts that have destabilized communities. Majid, born in 1986 in Uppsala, north of Stockholm, has a long criminal history, with convictions for assault, drug-related offenses, and aiding in kidnapping. Since August 2020, he has been internationally wanted for serious crimes, further cementing his status as a global threat.

To evade Swedish authorities, Majid and other Foxtrot members acquired Turkish citizenship, allowing them to operate from Turkey, where extradition requests from Sweden have been denied due to Majid’s citizenship status. From this safe haven, Majid continues to manage the network’s illicit activities. In December 2022, nine individuals linked to Majid were indicted for significant drug and weapons offenses, underscoring the breadth of Foxtrot’s criminal enterprise.

The sanctions, enacted under a presidential order, freeze all of Foxtrot and Majid’s assets in the U.S. or under American control, prohibiting U.S. citizens and companies from engaging in any economic transactions with them. Additionally, foreign entities that attempt to assist Foxtrot in circumventing these sanctions face penalties, a measure designed to deter international complicity. This action reflects the U.S. commitment to dismantling networks that support Iran’s malign activities while addressing the severe threat posed by Foxtrot’s operations in Europe and beyond.

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EDITORS NOTE: This JNS – Jewish News Syndicate column is republished with permission. ©All rights reserved.

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