FALCON POWERS – The Swedish Migration Authority has stated in a press release today that it has rejected granting Swedish citizenship to many Syrian immigrants in Sweden in recent years due to security reasons related to their direct or indirect service in the Syrian regime’s army. The Migration Authority stated that approximately 700 Syrian immigrants have been denied citizenship for this reason. According to the legal grounds for rejection, these immigrants were involved in military units that committed war crimes, and under the law, they must wait for a period of up to 25 years before being eligible for Swedish citizenship. However, the current laws may change, potentially eliminating the possibility of obtaining Swedish citizenship even after a 25-year wait.
Mattias Rosendal, an official at the Swedish Migration Authority, stated to Radio Sweden that the decisions issued by the Migration Authority are carefully considered and follow legal criteria. Individual assessments are made in cases like these, and many Syrians obtain citizenship even if they served in the Syrian army in general circumstances. He further explained that the Migration Authority examines the specific circumstances of the individuals in question, including whether they served in specific locations and during periods that may have witnessed human rights violations.
