Jakarta –
Swedish police on Wednesday (09/02) refused to give permission for a demonstration which was planned to be accompanied by the burning of the Koran. Such prohibitive measures are rarely taken by the Swedish authorities.
This ban was made following a similar action held in January, when local right-wing politicians burned the Muslim holy book near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. This prohibited protest action is also planned to be held at the same place on Thursday (10/02).
Sweden’s security service, Sapo, said the January protests had increased the risk of an attack on Sweden. And that risk is the reason for not giving permission for the holding of similar protests.
“The burning of the Koran near the Turkish embassy in January 2023 can be considered to have increased the threat to Swedish society in general, but also to Sweden, Swedish interests abroad and Swedish people abroad,” the police ruling said.
“Sweden is a priority target for attacks.”
Turkey threatens not to support Sweden in NATO
It is said that the burning of the holy book did not only have an impact on increasing anti-Swedish protests in a number of countries where the population is dominated by Muslims.
Turkey responded to the protests by canceling a planned visit by Sweden’s defense minister to Ankara to discuss Sweden’s joining NATO. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Sweden not to count on his support.
The incident has caused a diplomatic rut for Sweden, which must get unanimous approval to join the NATO defense alliance. Sweden has decided it wants to join NATO following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
But President Erdoğan said Turkey would not agree to Sweden’s plan to join NATO as long as the burning of the Koran continued. So far, Sweden has rarely banned protests, as these are protected as part of the right to freedom of assembly.
The ultra-right revival in Sweden
Swedish police said the application for a permit for Thursday’s rally was not made by the same far-right politician, but by a little-known association. The AFP news agency reported that the demonstration was aimed at protesting Sweden’s application for NATO membership.
Police defended the decision not to grant permission for the demonstration saying this was because the situation had changed. Ultra-right groups are seen rising in Sweden while the government is also worried about terror attacks by Islamist groups.
In 2017, in Stockholm there was a terror attack by an Islamist group that killed five people.
Right-wing and neo-Nazi organizations in Sweden have developed rapidly in recent years, one of which is the Swedish Democratic party, which is now the second largest faction in the Swedish parliament after the 2022 elections. Although not recognized as part of the government, this right-wing party has become a party largest bearer of the Swedish governing coalition.
e/as (AFP, dpa)
Also watch the video: Hundreds of Muslims in Ciamis Condemn Rasmus Paludan’s Action
(it/it)
