Aug 17, 2023 at 5:05 PM Update: 39 minutes ago
Swedish authorities have averted several planned terror attacks targeting Sweden. This was announced by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the Swedish security service raised the terror threat level, according to Swedish media, because of tensions raised by Koran burnings.
“We know that planned terror attacks have been averted,” Kristersson said at a news conference, without giving further details.
The terror threat level in Sweden has been raised to the second highest level. The press conference in which the Prime Minister, among others, spoke, was organized because of that increase.
The threat level has now been scaled up from 3 to 4 on a scale of 1 to 5. That represents a high threat. A threat level 4 last occurred in 2016.
Recent Quran burnings in Sweden have sparked fierce reactions from international leaders, as well as major protests in Muslim countries. Swedish flags were burned and the Swedish embassy in Baghdad was even set on fire.
“I understand that many Swedes are concerned about the meaning of the new threat level. We should live our lives as usual. We stand up for our democratic values, but we protect ourselves,” Kristersson said according to SVT News. He called on Swedish citizens to be vigilant and to report suspicious cases to the police.
Get notified about news about Sweden Stay informed with notifications
Protests have kept Sweden busy for much of the summer
Earlier this month, Sweden already tightened border controls because of the burnings and the resulting tensions. The police were given more powers to stop people, search and search cars.
Kristersson expressed his concern at the end of July about the possible consequences of new Koran burnings. If new protests take place, “we face a few days with a clear risk of something serious happening,” he said at the time. The threat level was not increased at that time, although the security service stated that not much more was needed for an increase.
2023-08-17 15:05:02
#Sweden #threat #level #increase #Multiple #attacks #averted
