The security police are “closely” following the development of events after large protests were carried out and Iran’s supreme leader accused Sweden of having declared war on the Muslim world.
The tone is high after the Koran burnings in Sweden.
– Not least these reactions, and the image of Sweden that has been affected, can be threatening, says Säpo’s spokesperson Adam Samara.
The protests in Iraq after the announcement of the Koran in Sweden are worrying, says TV4 Nyhetern’s foreign policy commentator Elisabet Frerot.
– Sweden is not only portrayed as blameworthy but as a priority target, almost in the same class as the arch-enemies the USA and Israel. Although it’s just words so far, the escalation is extremely worrying, and continues:
– If the escalation of anger against Sweden continues, there is a risk that someone will take matters into their own hands.
Säpo: “Can be threatening”
The Government Office’s group for strategic coordination (GSS) met on Friday morning due to the ongoing crisis.
Security police spokesperson Adam Samara says that the development of events surrounding the Koran burnings may affect the threat picture against Sweden.
– We have seen that now after the recent development of events that it has provoked powerful, threatening reactions. And we know that this may affect the threat picture against Sweden.
The terrorist threat against Sweden has for several years been at an “elevated level”, which is level three on a five-point scale. The official level has not changed, but Säpo continuously monitors the development.
– Of course it is the case that the Security Police is following the situation closely now and it must be remembered that we are constantly working to assess the threats against Sweden and we continuously receive information about terrorist threats directed at Sweden and Swedish interests, says Adam Samara at Säpo.
The message is cabled out in the Muslim world
Mohammad Fazlhashemi, professor of Islamic theology and philosophy, tells TT that he believes that the complicated situation and dissatisfaction with Sweden means a high threat level.
– I don’t know what consequences it could have, but the least you can say is that it means a higher threat level. He (Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr) has followers in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon among Shia Muslims. But the message will also be cabled out to the rest of the Muslim world, and that may trigger further reactions.
The security police do not want to comment on whether the events and statements in Iraq lead to raising the official terror threat level.