The Ministry of Justice is proposing tougher measures against organised crime. The ministry today published a bill for consultation on the government's consultation portal. The bill provides for 12 changes to criminal law, procedural rules and police legislation.
A government statement says this is the first time since the provision on organised crime was enacted that such targeted changes have been undertaken. The bill will be presented during the coming parliamentary session.
20 organised criminal groups operating in Iceland
According to a report by the National Commissioner of Police's analysis department from November, around 20 organised criminal groups are operating in Iceland. They vary in their level of organisation and size, but all have the aim of profiting from crime.
The scale of their activities has increased in recent years and they have become more complex and serious, with conflicts between groups and offences involving violence and weapons.
Tougher penalties if children are used in criminal activity
The 12 changes are intended to strengthen the fight against organised crime. If the bill is passed in its current form, penalties will be increased, police powers expanded and the authorities given greater scope to seize the proceeds of crime without a conviction.
Penalties would be increased where children or young people are used to commit serious offences, and the maximum sentence for organised crime would rise from four years to eight.
The maximum period for which suspects can be held in custody in complex and extensive criminal cases would also be extended from 12 weeks to six months, and police would be allowed to carry out certain investigative measures before obtaining a court order.
Organised crime would be more clearly defined and the concept broadened to reflect changing circumstances.
