The Swedish government is preparing to lower the age for being prosecuted from 15 to 13, as first announced by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in September. The measure will affect the most serious crimes such as murder and aggravated bombings.
The measure comes amid violent gang clashes that have been plaguing Sweden for more than a decade. The gangs usually use teens under the age of 15 as paid killers and weapons couriers, as they face light penalties.
Researcher Hradilova Selin refers to gangs as a "social contagion" in Sweden. They recruit almost a thousand new members a year, and the Nordic country went from having one of the lowest rates of gunfire killings to one of the highest in slightly more than 10 years.
The minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) varies around the world, but how young is too young? There have been horrific crimes committed by children, but punishment is not the same in every country, and it largely depends on age.
In this gallery, you’ll get to know some of the places where children under 14 can be put behind bars. Click on to discover them.