The Swedish Supreme Court has established a critical legal precedent by ruling that posting a request for a hitman in an encrypted chat is punishable as conspiracy to commit murder. The case, which involves a man arrested in 2024, centers around messages he sent via the chat application Signal, where he allegedly solicited individuals to commit murder. Using the alias "Sub Zero," he sought connections over multiple messages, indicating willingness to pay for such services and expressing urgency in his requests, although no one responded to his postings.

In delivering its verdict, the Court concurred with the prosecutor's assessment that the actions indicated a clear intent to conspire to commit murder. Despite the relatively vague nature of the messages, the Supreme Court emphasized that detailed information was not necessary for the solicitation to be considered criminal. This ruling underscores the legal system's stance on the seriousness of online solicitations for violence, demonstrating that even ambiguous requests in private communications can lead to criminal charges.

The case raises pressing questions about the boundaries of free speech in digital communications and the extent to which individuals can express harmful intentions without facing legal repercussions. This decision may have broader implications for how encrypted messaging platforms can be monitored for illegal activities, highlighting the balance between privacy rights and public safety in the realm of online interactions.