Aysu Bicer
10 July 2025•Update: 10 July 2025
LONDON
Sweden’s migration minister on Thursday said he is “shocked and horrified” after discovering his teenage son’s involvement in far-right extremist groups.
Johan Forssell, a member of the center-right Moderates party, said he was informed by Sweden’s security service a few weeks ago about his 16-year-old son’s online activities.
Sweden’s governing coalition, led by the Moderates, relies on parliamentary support from the far-right Sweden Democrats.
Forssell decided to speak publicly after the anti-racism magazine Expo revealed that a “close relative of a Swedish minister” was active in the far-right.
Despite following his son on social media, where the teenager followed far-right influencers and activists, Forssell said he was unaware of his son’s involvement until contacted by journalists.
“As a father you are shocked, you are horrified. I have a deeply remorseful 15-year-old, who just turned 16,” Forssell told Swedish broadcaster TV4. “These activities are over but our conversations will, of course, continue.”
Writing on social media, Forssell said he hoped the incident would serve as an “eye-opener” for other parents.
“These findings highlight a bigger societal issue,” he said. “How much do we actually know about what our children do on social media and how can we protect them from being dragged into something we don’t want?”
Forssell confirmed that his son, who has not been named, is not suspected of any crime.
He said his decision to go public was motivated by a desire to protect his son.
“This has not been about protecting me as a politician, this is about protecting a minor,” he said.
However, the case is already creating political fallout. Opposition parties have called for Forssell to be summoned to the Riksdag, Sweden’s parliament, to answer questions about how much the government knew about the teenager’s activities.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Thursday he still had confidence in Forssell.
He said the minister had “acted as a responsible parent should when you learn that your child is doing wrong and is in bad company.”
Far-right extremism has been present in Sweden for decades, but experts say there has been a recent shift toward smaller, more agile groups.
These groups often target boys and young men through social media, before moving onto more private platforms.
The number of active far-right groups in the country is believed to be at its highest level since 2008.
