COPENHAGEN – A senior Swedish legit mentioned Monday Swedes abroad and companies connected to Sweden“should observe increased vigilance and caution,” following fresh Quran burnings within the nation and protests within the Muslim global.
Henrik Landerholm, Sweden’s National Security Adviser, mentioned there are indicators of “a heightened threat” to the country and to Swedish interests abroad, adding the security situation has worsened.
In a statement, Landerholm said that “representatives of terrorist groups have called for attacks against Sweden. States and other actors have helped amplify such messages.” He mentioned Sweden has long gone from being regarded as a “legitimate” goal to being a “priority” goal. The remark didn’t determine the ones concerned.
Landerholm mentioned there additionally had been ”indications” that teams are making plans different acts in opposition to Swedish pursuits abroad, and cited the storming of Sweden’s Embassy in Baghdad closing month and an tried assault at the diplomatic venture in Beirut closing week.
The Swedish executive and related government ”are tracking trends, taking a lot of measures and operating intently with world companions to offer protection to Swedes and Swedish pursuits abroad and to counteract the detest messages being unfold about Sweden,” he mentioned,
This month, Sweden stepped up border controls and identity checks at crossing points.
A recent string of public Quran desecrations by a handful of anti-Islam activists in Sweden — and more recently in neighboring Denmark — has sparked angry demonstrations in Muslim countries.
Sweden does now not have a regulation particularly prohibiting the burning or desecration of the Quran or different non secular texts. Like many Western international locations, it doesn’t have any blasphemy laws; Sweden’s had been deserted within the Seventies.
The right to hold public demonstration s is protected by the Swedish Constitution. Police generally give permission based on whether they believe a public gathering can be held without major disruptions or risks to public safety.
Swedish officials repeatedly have condemned the desecrations and have also debunked claims that the government in Sweden grants permission for people to burn Islam’s sacred text or other religious books,
Last month, the Scandinavian country’s domestic security service SAPO mentioned the full safety state of affairs has deteriorated and mentioned the danger of terrorism in Sweden stays at an increased stage.