Sweden Thursday raised its terror threat level to high in the wake of rising tensions over Koran burnings during protests. File Photo by Caisa Rasmussen/EPA-EFE
Aug. 17 (UPI) — Sweden Thursday raised its terror threat level from elevated to high, citing a “deteriorating situation” of threatened attacks and a determination that the threat will persist for a long time.
“The threat picture against Sweden has gradually changed and the threat of attacks from actors within violent Islamism has increased during the year,” said Swedish Security Police Chief Charlotte von Essen in a statement. “Sweden has gone from being regarded as a legitimate target for terrorist attacks to being regarded as a priority target.”
High is the fourth threat level on a five-point scale, marking the first time it had reached that level since 2016.
The Swedish government said the new terror threat level is based on a strategic assessment of terrorist actors’ “intention and ability to commit terrorist attacks against Sweden.”
It added the terror threat level increase “does not depend on any single event, but must be seen in a strategic and long-term perspective.”
“The development of events with threats directed at Sweden over a longer period of time is serious and affects Sweden’s security,” it said.
However, the adjustment comes amid increased tension surrounding demonstrations including burning or other desecration of the Koran.
Both Sweden and Denmark said in July they were exploring legal options to intervene in protests to deter Koran burnings during protests even as they continue to uphold freedom of expression.
Earlier this summer Iraq expelled the Swedish ambassador amid tensions over Koran burnings during protests. Iraq Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani accused Sweden of “repeated permission for burning the Koran, insulting Islam and burning Iraqi flag.”
The EU condemned Koran burnings in July as Swedish Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin asserted that a disinformation campaign was perpetuating “false claims that the Swedish state is behind the desecration of copies of holy scriptures.”
