Sweden raises terrorist threat level due to Quran burning

The Swedish Security Service (SAPO) has raised its assessment of the terrorist threat level in the country from three to four points on a five-point scale amid rising international tensions following the Quran burning actions.

This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to Reuters.

"The threat against Sweden has gradually changed, and the threat of attacks by violent Islamists has increased significantly during the year," the security service said in a statement.

SAPO also said that Sweden is now seen as a priority target for terrorist attacks by Islamists. It is reported that before the series of Quran burning scandals, the Nordic country was a legitimate target for the country's security service classification.

In recent months, several actions have taken place in Denmark and Sweden, during which the Koran was burned or otherwise desecrated. This has caused tensions in the country's relations with the Muslim world.

The Scandinavian countries expressed regret over this, but said they could not prevent it under constitutional laws protecting freedom of speech.

However, both governments soon announced that they were exploring the possibility of legislative restrictions that would prevent similar actions by demonstrators.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 18/08/2023