UPDATE - Swedish premier slams Orban's claim on Sweden’s security as 'outrageous lies'

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Monday rejected Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's claims that Sweden is "collapsing" due to rising gang violence, calling them "outrageous lies."

Orban earlier shared a post on the US social media platform X, citing a German newspaper article, alleging that criminal networks in Sweden are recruiting underage children as killers.

He claimed that "over 280 underage girls" have been arrested for murder and accused the Swedish government of lecturing Hungary on the rule of law despite what he described as Sweden’s deteriorating security situation.

Kristersson swiftly responded on X, saying: "These are outrageous lies. Not surprising coming from the man who is dismantling the rule of law in his own country."

He added that Orban is "desperate ahead of the upcoming Hungarian election."

In a follow-up post, the Hungarian prime minister wrote: "The abandonment of traditional values, the neglect of common sense, and weak governance have led to barbarism taking root in the home of one of Europe's greatest nations. Criminal gangs are using underage girls as instruments of killing."

"The mission of the rule of law is to ensure the safety of people, and where underage girls are systematically used for murder, the rule of law is dead," he added.

The Hungarian leader described Sweden as a friend, praised the Swedish people as great and noble, and expressed concern for the country's situation.