A Somali-Swede convicted of killing one person and nearly killing several others in gang-linked shootings in Stockholm in 2023 avoided prison after not being held on remand during his appeal process and is now one of Europe’s most wanted fugitives, but Sweden’s public broadcaster withheld his identity and blurred his photograph in its coverage.

Abdifatah Yahye Omar, 25, was convicted last year by the Svea Court of Appeal and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, four counts of attempted murder, and arson following two violent attacks in the Stockholm area. However, he was not held in custody while the appeal process was ongoing and failed to appear to begin serving his life sentence, allowing him to disappear.

He is now the subject of an international manhunt and has been placed at the top of Europol’s most-wanted list, with authorities warning the public not to approach him.

The crimes occurred in September 2023 amid a violent gang conflict connected to the Foxtrot criminal network, though none of the victims themselves had links to organized crime.

In the first attack, a man in his 60s was shot multiple times at his home in Åkersberga, north of Stockholm. Armed attackers used an assault rifle and a pistol before setting the property on fire as they fled. The victim survived despite suffering serious injuries.

The following day, gunmen opened fire again in Jordbro, south of Stockholm, targeting a group of people. One man in his 20s was fatally shot after being hit in the head, while several others narrowly escaped injury.

Police later tracked suspects to a vehicle that crashed into a residential building, leading to arrests and the discovery of the weapons.

Omar was initially acquitted in district court, but prosecutors appealed, and the Svea Court of Appeal overturned the verdict in June 2025, convicting him along with three other men. The appeals court concluded he had taken part in both shootings.

Despite receiving a life sentence, Omar was not in custody during the appeal proceedings and subsequently failed to report to prison, becoming an international fugitive.

Europol now lists him among Europe’s most dangerous wanted criminals. Its website warns: “All wanted persons on this website should be considered dangerous. Do not approach them,” urging members of the public to provide information to police instead.

According to Europol, Omar holds both Somali and Swedish nationality and speaks Swedish, Somali, and English.

Sweden’s public broadcaster SVT reported on the Europol alert without naming Omar and blurred his face in its coverage, despite his conviction and active international manhunt status.

It referred to him simply as a “convicted shooter” and a “25-year-old man.”