From the Balkans with Guns
A surge in gun violence in Sweden, now the highest in Western Europe, is being fueled by illicit weapons originating from the Balkans. The People & Power report, published on February 15, 2026, traces the path of these arms from factories and black markets in the former Yugoslavia to the streets of Stockholm and other parts of Europe.

Briefing Summary
AI-generatedA surge in gun violence in Sweden, now the highest in Western Europe, is being fueled by illicit weapons originating from the Balkans. The People & Power report, published on February 15, 2026, traces the path of these arms from factories and black markets in the former Yugoslavia to the streets of Stockholm and other parts of Europe. These weapons are linked to gang wars and other violent crimes across the continent. The investigation exposes a vast criminal network that authorities are struggling to control, highlighting the human cost of the illegal arms trade. The report connects weapons from the Balkans to deadly events, including a mass shooting in Montenegro.
Article analysis
Model · rule-basedKey claims
5 extractedA lone gunman in Montenegro kills 13 people.
Gun homicides in Sweden surge, becoming the highest in Western Europe.
Weapons from the Balkans are fuelling violence on the streets of Sweden.
Illicit arms from the Western Balkans are fuelling gang wars and violence across the continent.
Authorities can’t control a hidden war.