The current environment protection legislation does not specify environment protection offence in their aggravated form.
According to the steering committee, crimes may be considered aggravated if the crime is systematic, poses a risk to the environment or if it is assessed as gross and lead to substantial economic benefits.
The penalty proposed would range from four months to four years.
Currently, the penalty for environmental crimes range from a fine of up to a maximum of two year in prison.
“Adjustment of aggravated environmental protection offences would empahise the seriousness of these crimes,” said Anna-Maja Henriksson, the Minister of Justice in a release.
