Maximum sentence for organized crime to be doubled

Iceland’s Justice Ministry wants to double the maximum sentence for participation in organized crime, raising it from four years to eight under a new bill submitted for public consultation.

The proposal contains 12 changes to criminal law, procedural rules and police legislation. It would impose tougher penalties when children or young people are used to commit serious offenses. In complex and large-scale criminal cases, the maximum period of pretrial detention would increase from 12 weeks to six months.

The bill would also allow police to conduct certain investigative operations before obtaining a court ruling. Authorities could seize assets without a conviction for a specific offense if they believe the assets represent proceeds from criminal activity. The definition of organized crime would be clarified and broadened to reflect changing circumstances.

A November report from the national police commissioner’s analysis department identified about 20 organized crime groups operating in Iceland. The groups vary in size and structure, but all seek financial gain from criminal activity. The ministry said their operations have expanded in recent years and become more complex and serious, with increased clashes between groups and more extensive violence and weapons offenses.

Justice Minister Þorbjörg S. Gunnlaugsdóttir said organized crime threatens everyone’s security. She said the bill aims to weaken criminal groups’ financial foundations and limit their ability to grow and establish themselves in Iceland. The government plans to submit the bill during the coming parliamentary session.

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Organized crime is a threat to the security of all of us, and with this bill we are taking targeted steps to deal more forcefully with these groups.