2025-05-072024/25:UU17 · p.2UUForeign affairs
Sanctions offence
Tougher penalties and a reporting duty for sanctions offenses
What's at stake: The issue concerns how effectively Sweden combats sanctions evasion, for instance against Russia, which affects the economic pressure on sanctioned actors and the credibility of the sanctions system.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
Whether tougher penalties and a new reporting duty for authorities are enough to counter sanctions offenses and evasion, or whether the government should also convene authorities and industry in a joint push against evasion, particularly of the Russia sanctions.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee welcomes that penalties for sanctions offenses are tightened and that a reporting duty is introduced for authorities that detect suspected violations, and considers this, together with ongoing inter-agency and EU cooperation, sufficient.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (S, V, MP)
The government should promptly convene the responsible authorities along with representatives from industry and the transport sector to jointly intensify efforts against evasion of the EU's sanctions on Russia, since Sweden is one of few European countries without any sanctions-offense prosecutions.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by S, V, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
The decision would have gone the other way
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: LLiberalerna
Ja 155–131Nej 141–145
Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.
How the AI parties would have voted
For each party: what its own plan – election manifesto and party programme – argues for in this case, next to how the party actually voted. The AI can only answer Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| AI | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/21/0/3 | match | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | No | No 0/93/0/13 | match | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | No 0/16/0/2 | match | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Abstain 0/0/21/3 | differs | confidence: medium | derived |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| KD | No | Yes 17/0/0/2 | differs | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | No | Yes 60/0/0/8 | differs | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 63/0/0/9 | differs | confidence: medium | derived |
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects the motions 2024/25:2467 by Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist et al. (C) request 35, 2024/25:3107 by Morgan Johansson et al. (S) request 6 and 2024/25:3136 by Fredrik Olovsson et al. (S) request 36.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:2467 av Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist m.fl. (C) yrkande 35, 2024/25:3107 av Morgan Johansson m.fl. (S) yrkande 6 och 2024/25:3136 av Fredrik Olovsson m.fl. (S) yrkande 36.
Riksdag decision: The rules on international sanctions will be strengthened through a new law. Parliament said yes to the Government's proposal, which aims to incorporate the EU's sanctions directive into Swedish law. International sanctions mean that one or more countries restrict the freedom of action of, for example, a person, an organization or another country's government. The purpose is to peacefully, through economic and political measures, try to influence the one who the restrictions are imposed against. This can be done by, among other things, introducing restrictions on exports and imports, introducing entry bans or freezing assets. The purpose of the EU's sanctions directive – and of the new law – is to criminalize and establish penalties if sanctions are not followed. The law means that penalties for violations of international sanctions are increased even violations of lesser degree (minor cases) shall be criminalized new crime designations in the form of sanctions violation, sanctions crime, gross sanctions crime and repeated sanctions crime shall be introduced attempts and aiding and abetting certain sanctions crimes shall be criminalized certain authorities shall be obliged to report if there is suspicion of a crime under the new law. Parliament decided that the law comes into force on June 10, 2025 instead of May 20, 2025 as the Government proposed.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to increase efforts to maintain EU sanctions by detecting and preventing sanctions evasion earlier. (S, V, MP) — Reservation 1
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan states that Sweden makes the greatest difference by consistently defending international law and human rights, and takes a clear position against states that wage wars of aggression.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that Sweden makes the greatest difference by consistently defending international law and human rights, and takes a clear position against states that wage wars of aggression. A joint mobilization between government agencies, business and transport industry against circumventing sanctions against Russia is a practical implementation of that. The plan also wants to see effective oversight of financial crime.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sverige gör störst skillnad genom att konsekvent försvara folkrätten och mänskliga rättigheter, och tar tydlig ställning mot stater som för angreppskrig. En gemensam kraftsamling mellan myndigheter, näringsliv och transportnäring mot kringgående av sanktionerna mot Ryssland är ett praktiskt genomförande av det. Planen vill också se en effektiv uppföljning av ekonomisk brottslighet.
- defend international lawdecisive»kan ofta göra störst skillnad genom att konsekvent försvara« (party programme ↗)“can often make the greatest difference by consistently defending”
- international law should be defended»Folkrätten behöver försvaras« (party programme ↗)“International law needs to be defended”
- clear line against wars of aggression»förbjuda vapenexport till diktaturer, stater som för angreppskrig och« (party programme ↗)“prohibit weapons exports to dictatorships, states that wage wars of aggression and”
- effective oversight of financial crime»Det behövs en effektiv uppföljning av den organiserade« (party programme ↗)“There needs to be effective oversight of organized”
The election manifesto establishes that Sweden in all cases shall stand up for Ukraine and against Russian aggression and wants to see more and intensified international cooperation against illegal flows.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto establishes that Sweden in all cases shall stand up for Ukraine and against Russian aggression and wants to see more and intensified international cooperation against illegal flows. A joint effort between authorities, business and transport sector against circumvention of sanctions is an application of these commitments. The demand to stop money laundering points in the same direction.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet slår fast att Sverige i alla lägen ska stå upp för Ukraina och mot det ryska invasionskriget och vill se fler och intensifierade internationella samarbeten mot illegala flöden. En gemensam kraftsamling mellan myndigheter, näringsliv och transportnäring mot kringgående av sanktionerna är en tillämpning av dessa åtaganden. Kravet på att stoppa penningtvätt pekar åt samma håll.
- support for Ukrainedecisive»Sverige måste i alla lägen stå upp för Ukraina och mot det ryska invasionskriget.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden must in all cases stand up for Ukraine and against Russian aggression.”
- cooperation against illegal flows»Vi vill se fler och intensifierande internationella samarbeten mot smuggling av bland annat vapen och narkotika.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to see more and intensified international cooperation against smuggling of among others weapons and narcotics.”
- strengthened international efforts»Vi behöver förstärka det internationella arbetet mot brottsligheten.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We need to strengthen international efforts against crime.”
- stop money laundering»Skattefusk, välfärdsbrottslighet och penningtvätt ska stoppas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Tax evasion, welfare fraud and money laundering shall be stopped.”
The plan places international law and human rights at its centre and takes a clear stance against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan places international law and human rights at its centre and takes a clear stance against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It also requires that illegal economic arrangements and tax evasion be stopped and that Sweden sets requirements in trade. A joint effort between authorities and business against circumvention of sanctions follows from these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen sätter folkrätten och de mänskliga rättigheterna i centrum och tar tydlig ställning mot Rysslands invasion av Ukraina. Den kräver också att illegala ekonomiska upplägg och skatteflykt stoppas och att Sverige ställer krav i handeln. En gemensam kraftsamling mellan myndigheter och näringsliv mot kringgående av sanktionerna följer av dessa åtaganden.
- international law at the centredecisive»Miljöpartiet de gröna sätter folkrätten och de« (party programme ↗)“The Greens place international law and”
- response to Russia's invasion»Putins invasion av Ukraina visar tydligt hur viktigt det är att Sverige och EU blir mindre beroende av att importera energi.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Putin's invasion of Ukraine clearly shows how important it is for Sweden and the EU to become less dependent on importing energy.”
- stop circumvention schemes»Företags skatteflykt ska stoppas.« (party programme ↗)“Corporate tax evasion shall be stopped.”
- requirements in trade policy»Sverige ska ställa krav på att importerade varor är« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall set requirements that imported goods are”
The manifesto's demand is that Putin's war chest be cut now, and a joint mobilisation against sanctions evasion is a direct means to that.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The manifesto's demand is that Putin's war chest be cut now, and a joint mobilisation against sanctions evasion is a direct means to that. The plan describes Russia's war of aggression as a threat to all of Europe's security and to liberal democracy, which means that weak results in sanctions work cannot be set aside.
Original (Swedish)
Manifestets krav är att Putins krigskassa ska strypas nu, och en gemensam kraftsamling mot kringgående av sanktionerna är ett direkt medel för det. Planen beskriver Rysslands anfallskrig som ett hot mot hela Europas säkerhet och mot den liberala demokratin, vilket gör att svaga resultat i sanktionsarbetet inte kan lämnas åt sidan.
- starve Russia's war chestdecisive»Stryp Putins krigskassa nu. Vi vill stoppa all energihandel med Ryssland och fasa ut fossila bränslen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Starve Putin's war chest now. We want to stop all energy trade with Russia and phase out fossil fuels.”
- Russia's war threatens Europe»Ibland förs kampen med vapen, som i fallet med Rysslands anfallskrig, som hotar Ukrainas överlevnad och hela Europas säkerhet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sometimes the struggle is fought with weapons, as in the case of Russia's war of aggression, which threatens Ukraine's survival and all of Europe's security.”
- external threats to democracy»Vissa hot kommer utifrån, som Rysslands folkrättsvidriga krig mot Ukraina har visat.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Some threats come from outside, as Russia's illegal war against Ukraine has shown.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto explicitly requires that Sweden be proactive in building as comprehensive a sanctions regime against Russia as possible, which directly supports the counter-proposal's demand for a joint effort against circumvention of sanctions.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto explicitly requires that Sweden be proactive in building as comprehensive a sanctions regime against Russia as possible, which directly supports the counter-proposal's demand for a joint effort against circumvention of sanctions. The plan promises wholehearted support to Ukraine until Russia's war of aggression ceases. That cross-border crime must be met with cross-border [response] also speaks for coordination between authorities and business.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver uttryckligen att Sverige ska vara pådrivande för att bygga ut en så heltäckande sanktionsregim mot Ryssland som möjligt, vilket direkt bär motförslagets krav på en gemensam kraftsamling mot kringgående av sanktionerna. Planen lovar helhjärtat stöd till Ukraina till dess Rysslands anfallskrig upphör. Att gränsöverskridande brottslighet måste mötas gränsöverskridande talar dessutom för samordning mellan myndigheter och näringsliv.
- comprehensive sanctions regimedecisive»Sverige ska vara pådrivande för att så breda globala koalitioner som möjligt bygger ut en så heltäckande sanktionsregim mot Ryssland som möjligt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall be proactive in ensuring that the broadest possible global coalitions build as comprehensive a sanctions regime against Russia as possible.”
- wholehearted support to Ukraine»Sverige ska helhjärtat stödja Ukraina i att Rysslands oprovocerade anfallskrig måste sluta i fullständig rysk militär reträtt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall wholeheartedly support Ukraine in that Russia's unprovoked war of aggression must end in complete Russian military withdrawal.”
- break dependence on Russia»Det finns två problem med rysk gas: att det är gas och att den är rysk.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“There are two problems with Russian gas: that it is gas and that it is Russian.”
- cross-border crime prevention»Gränsöverskridande brottslighet måste mötas med en gränsöverskridande polis.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Cross-border crime must be met with cross-border police.”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan allows that sanctions are used as a last resort against violations of human rights and requires close cooperation across authority boundaries to counter serious cross-border crime.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan allows that sanctions are used as a last resort against violations of human rights and requires close cooperation across authority boundaries to counter serious cross-border crime. A joint mobilization where authorities, business and the transport industry gather to circumvent the sanctions is precisely such cooperation, and the plan establishes that all crimes shall be effectively dealt with. The plan also prohibits export to offensively warring countries.
Original (Swedish)
Planen håller öppet för att sanktioner används som en sista utväg mot kränkningar av mänskliga rättigheter och kräver nära samarbete över myndighetsgränser för att motverka allvarlig gränsöverskridande brottslighet. En gemensam kraftsamling där myndigheter, näringsliv och transportnäring samlas mot kringgående av sanktionerna är just en sådan samverkan, och planen slår fast att alla brott effektivt ska beivras. Planen förbjuder också export till offensivt krigförande länder.
- sanctions as a tooldecisive»utväg kan bojkott och sanktioner bli aktuella.« (party programme ↗)“last resort can boycotts and sanctions become relevant.”
- cooperation against cross-border crime»Det krävs ett nära samarbete på EU-nivå för att« (party programme ↗)“Close cooperation at EU level is required to”
- all crimes shall be dealt with»Alla brott ska effektivt och utan undantag beivras« (party programme ↗)“All crimes shall be effectively and without exception dealt with”
- export restrictions against warring countries»Export ska ej gå till offensivt krigförande länder« (party programme ↗)“Export shall not go to offensively warring countries”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan states that Sweden should wholeheartedly stand up for Ukraine and that resilience against foreign power should be strengthened on a broad front, including through an action plan against hybrid threats and better state support for businesses in security-sensitive operations.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that Sweden should wholeheartedly stand up for Ukraine and that resilience against foreign power should be strengthened on a broad front, including through an action plan against hybrid threats and better state support for businesses in security-sensitive operations. A joint mobilization between authorities, industry and transport sector against circumventing sanctions against Russia is precisely such a measure. The plan also wants to give customs powerful powers at the border.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sverige helhjärtat ska stå upp för Ukraina och att motståndskraften mot främmande makt ska stärkas på bred front, bland annat genom en handlingsplan mot hybridhot och bättre statligt stöd till företag i säkerhetskänslig verksamhet. En gemensam kraftsamling mellan myndigheter, näringsliv och transportnäring mot kringgående av sanktionerna mot Ryssland är precis en sådan åtgärd. Planen vill dessutom ge tullen kraftfulla befogenheter vid gränsen.
- stand up against Russia's aggressiondecisive»Sverige ska helhjärtat stå upp för Ukraina, även med fortsatta vapenleveranser.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden should wholeheartedly stand up for Ukraine, also with continued arms deliveries.”
- action plan against hybrid threats»Införa en handlingsplan med konkreta åtgärder mot hybridhot och cyberattacker« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce an action plan with concrete measures against hybrid threats and cyberattacks”
- state and industry collaboration»Ge företag som är engagerade i säkerhetskänslig verksamhet bättre stöd från staten att kunna möta cyberattacker, spionage och stöldförsök från främmande makt« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Give businesses engaged in security-sensitive operations better support from the state to meet cyberattacks, espionage and theft attempts from foreign powers”
- strengthened customs at border»Stärka tullen med mer resurser och kraftfulla befogenheter för att stoppa stöldligor och vapensmugglare« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen customs with more resources and powerful powers to stop theft gangs and weapons smugglers”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants Sweden to work for clear sanctions against Russia and other states with negative development, and requires that the cooperation and tools of authorities to detect and prosecute crime be improved.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants Sweden to work for clear sanctions against Russia and other states with negative development, and requires that the cooperation and tools of authorities to detect and prosecute crime be improved. A joint effort between authorities, business and transport industry against circumvention of sanctions is a direct expression of both commitments. The heightened security situation in the region reinforces the same conclusion.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill att Sverige verkar för tydliga sanktioner mot Ryssland och andra stater med negativ utveckling, och kräver att myndigheternas samverkan och verktyg för att upptäcka och lagföra brottslighet förbättras. En gemensam kraftsamling mellan myndigheter, näringsliv och transportnäring mot kringgående av sanktionerna är ett direkt uttryck för båda åtagandena. Det skärpta säkerhetsläget i närområdet förstärker samma slutsats.
- effective sanctions against Russiadecisive»Sverige bör verka för tydliga sanktioner mot Turkiet, Belarus, Ryssland och andra länder med en negativ utveckling.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden should work for clear sanctions against Turkey, Belarus, Russia and other countries with negative development.”
- improved authority cooperation»Rättsväsendets samverkan mellan myndigheter och verktyg för att upptäcka och lagföra kriminella ska förbättras.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The justice system's cooperation between authorities and tools for detecting and prosecuting criminals shall be improved.”
- heightened security situation»Rusta Sverige inför en ny säkerhetspolitisk situation i vårt närområde« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prepare Sweden for a new security policy situation in our region”
- Swedish interests first»Värna svenska intressen i internationella sammanhang« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Protect Swedish interests in international contexts”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:UU17)
- Committee report full text (HC01UU17)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:1438 — Internationella relationer och mänskliga rättigheter av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:2467 — En näringspolitik för tillväxt i hela landet av Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:3107 — Internationell samverkan av Morgan Johansson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3136 — Utgiftsområde 24 Näringsliv av Fredrik Olovsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3162 — Internationellt samarbete i en utmanande tid av Kerstin Lundgren m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:3354 — med anledning av prop. 2024/25:126 Ny lag om internationella sanktioner av Kerstin Lundgren m.fl. (C)
- Proposition 2024/25:126 — Ny lag om internationella sanktioner
Source: The Swedish Parliament