åklagarmyndigheter

Åklagarmyndigheter is a collective term for the public authorities responsible for criminal prosecution in Sweden. The Swedish Prosecution Authority, or Åklagarmyndigheten, is a government agency under the Ministry of Justice that exercises the state’s prosecutorial power. Its core task is to ensure lawful, fair, and efficient handling of criminal matters, from investigation to verdict.

The authority consists of a national office led by the Prosecutor General (Riksåklagaren) and a network of county- and district-level prosecutors’ offices. Prosecutors decide whether to prosecute after reviewing investigations, and they may direct, supervise, or conduct investigations and lead prosecutions in court. Prosecutors are required to act independently in individual cases, free from political direction, while remaining part of the state administration and accountable through parliamentary oversight and judicial review.

Relation to police and courts is central: police investigators carry out most inquiries, but prosecutors guide and decide on the pursuit of charges. The Åklagarmyndigheten also issues guidelines to ensure consistent practice, protect defendants’ rights, and uphold the rule of law within the criminal justice process.

The offices collaborate with national and local authorities, and participate in international cooperation through mutual legal assistance, information exchange, and cooperation within EU and international frameworks when applicable. The agency is funded by the state and subject to oversight, including audits and evaluations aimed at transparency, accountability, and adherence to human rights standards.