And the parent of the year award goes to...
18 July 2025
Imagine you're a centre-right minister in office, and learn from the media that your son is active in violent far-right extremist groups. Embarrassing, to say the least, right? That's exactly what just happened to Johan Forssell, the Swedish migration minister, who has otherwise been keen to lecture parents about their responsibility in preventing kids’ criminal activities.
Here’s a quick recap: Two weeks ago, the investigative magazine Expo revealed that his teenage son had been involved in violent neo-Nazi networks, including the Nordic Resistance Movement, which is classified as a terrorist group by the US. While the boy is not suspected of any crime, he is said, among other things, to have tried to recruit members to the white supremacist organisation Det fria Sverige (Free Sweden) and was spotted on social media posts putting up racist stickers in his neighbourhood. By following his activity on social media, Expo found six different accounts linked to him that were used to post, share, and like far-right material.
Forssell has since claimed to be "shocked and horrified" by the discovery, because he didn't know about his son's activities. This cluelessness has sparked a debate, as his previous lectures on parental responsibility have included promoting harsher punishments for minors and suggesting that parents should be held legally accountable for the crimes of their children.
However, his party colleagues – in a government supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats, which has roots in neo-Nazi movements – have been downplaying the scandal or simply refusing to comment on the matter.
 | Amélie Reichmuth Forsell’s son's situation reflects broader movements within Swedish society. In its 2024 report published this spring, Expo was already pointing out a worrying trend in Sweden. There are more far-right extremist groups, and they are becoming more radicalised – attracting "a new generation of young men who have lost faith in democracy." Christer Mattsson, director of the Segerstedt Institute at Gothenburg University, recently confirmed this in an interview, noting that "right-wing extremists have been using the internet longer than most other organisations, and have more than 30 years experience in providing online communities [...] where you can interact and receive information but also where you can find ways to get engaged in a real group." |
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