Story perspectives

Teenagers Exploited as Child Soldiers in Swedish Gang War

12/16/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In July 2023, two teenage boys, Hugo and Jesper, were hired as child soldiers by the Foxtrot gang in Sweden to assassinate a rival rapper, traveling to Sundsvall with pistols.
They were kidnapped by adults upon arrival and endured torture before escaping, including stabbings and humiliation.
The case produced 11 convictions with significant sentences for those involved.
The episode highlights how Sweden's gang networks exploit children as victims and perpetrators.

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Story summary

In July 2023, two teenage boys, Hugo and Jesper, were hired as child soldiers by the Foxtrot gang in Sweden to assassinate a rival rapper, traveling to Sundsvall with pistols.
They were kidnapped by adults upon arrival and endured torture before escaping, including stabbings and humiliation.
The case produced 11 convictions with significant sentences for those involved.
The episode highlights how Sweden's gang networks exploit children as victims and perpetrators.