Sweden’s security situation has worsened following recent Quran burnings in the country and protests in the Muslim world, leading to a negative impact on the nation’s image, according to the domestic security service SAPO.
The burning and desecration of religious books in Sweden, along with ongoing disinformation campaigns on social media, have altered Sweden’s image from being seen as a tolerant country to one perceived as hostile towards Islam and Muslims. SAPO warned that these incidents could fuel threats from individuals within the violent Islamist milieu.
The risk of terrorism in Sweden is currently at an elevated level, marked as three on a five-point scale, which is a serious concern for the security agency. Susanna Trehörning, SAPO’s deputy head of counter-terrorism, emphasized the heightened threat and warned that an attack could occur within this context.
The recent public desecrations of the Quran by anti-Islam activists in Sweden, as well as in neighboring Denmark, have triggered strong reactions in Muslim countries. While Sweden does not have specific laws against burning or desecrating religious texts like the Quran, the incidents have raised concerns about public safety and social tensions.
The right to hold public demonstrations is protected by the constitution in Sweden, and police typically grant permission based on assessments of potential disruptions or risks to public safety.
In response to the desecrations, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the acts, stating that such provocations only serve to divide societies. He emphasized the core value of respect for diversity within the EU, including respect for religious communities, and underlined that expressions of racism, xenophobia, and intolerance have no place in the European Union.