Five teenagers are set to appear in court in Sweden on Wednesday over the alleged attempted murder of Iranian researcher Arvin Khoshnood. Prosecutors state one teen, then 16, approached Khoshnood's home in Malmo on September 2nd last year, armed with a knife and asking for the researcher. Khoshnood, who was home, immediately called the police. Investigators believe the teenager was recruited via encrypted messaging apps by co-defendants, with a promise of payment to kill Khoshnood. Three accused are charged with attempted murder, with others facing complicity charges. Prosecutor Per-Erik Rinsell described the acts as "crime as a service," involving young perpetrators taking assignments from individuals connected to organized crime.
Khoshnood, a supporter of Iran's Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, told Swedish media he believes the attack was organized by Foxtrot, a prominent Swedish criminal gang reportedly linked to the Iranian government. Foxtrot has been implicated in numerous violent crimes in Sweden, using social media to recruit minors. The Swedish security service Sapo identifies Iran as a major threat, accusing Tehran of using Swedish gangs for "acts of violence" against Israeli interests and Iranian opposition figures, a claim Iran denies.
Some of the accused also face charges related to an attempted murder in Uddevalla a week after the incident involving Khoshnood.