Centre Party MP Calls for Stronger Action on Organised Crime

2026-02-24 - 11:45

A member of parliament has raised concerns about the growth of organised crime groups in Iceland, saying their number has doubled since 2017, mbl.is reports. Karl Gauti Hjaltason of the Centre Party initiated a debate in Alþingi last weekend on the Minister of Justice’s report on measures against organised crime, titled Öruggara Ísland. He led a similar discussion at parliament around eight years ago. What's the Story? Debate initiated in Alþingi by Karl Gauti Hjaltason of the Centre Party on measures against organised crime Police reports from 2008–2025 cited warning of increase in organised crime groups Number of groups doubled since 2017 and quadrupled since 2008, according to parliamentary remarks Alþingi parliament building in Reykjavik. Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain. Debate in Alþingi Citing police analysis reports dating back to 2008, Karl Gauti said warnings about the threat posed by organised crime had been repeated over the years. “I come from the police and decided to hold this discussion,” he said, noting his previous career in law enforcement. He added: “Since then, nothing spectacular has happened in this regard. The only thing that has happened is that the number of these groups has increased. Doubled since 2017 and quadrupled since 2008.” Referring to repeated assessments from police in 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2025, he said: “It is of course striking that we are still in a much worse place now than we were then. And what do people do? People sit with their hands in their laps and do nothing.” Karl Gauti said the purpose of the debate was to encourage legislative changes to strengthen police powers and facilitate deportations, with the aim of addressing the rise in organised crime groups.