The Danish Parliament has just passed a comprehensive legislative package aimed at strengthening efforts against economic crimes. One of the central elements of the package is the possibility of imposing double penalties for certain forms of serious economic crime, especially if the convicted individual is associated with a group involved in serious criminal activities. This new legislation was announced by the Ministry of Justice through a press release.
Another significant element in the package is the introduction of contact bans for gang members, which means they are not allowed to contact other members of the same group. Additionally, the police will have a range of new tools to combat organized economic crime. Starting from July 1, the police will, for example, be able to use civilian operatives, something that was not previously allowed. At the same time, the possibilities for secret surveillance and searching of individuals suspected of serious economic crimes will be expanded.
This legislative package, which was approved by a broad majority in the Parliament, is part of a larger effort against gang-related crime. Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard referred to the TV 2 documentary ‘The Black Swan,’ which has exposed how gang members conspire to use invoice factories and sham companies to defraud the community. Hummelgaard stated, “With the gang package, we take a tough stance on gang’s shady businesses and organized economic crime.”
Furthermore, an ‘Al Capone collaboration’ is being established, which is an investigation collaboration between the National Unit for Special Crimes, the Danish Business Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen), and the Customs and Tax Administration. The TV 2 documentary ‘The Black Swan’ has sparked significant debate in Denmark, and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in an interview with TV 2 that she is willing to ‘push the boundaries’ in the fight against gang-related crime. “If I have to cross a line in terms of the legal rights of the perpetrators, and in terms of surveillance, I will do so gladly if it means I can protect the community,” she said.