Last week, the Ministry of Justice invited a number of other ministries to a meeting with Säpo and the police.
The purpose was security around the Eurovision Song Contest.
“Must be taken very seriously”
Gunnar Strömmer also has separate meetings with Säpo and the police, something that will happen regularly until the music competition in Malmö in May.
According to Strömmer, the fact that Eurovision is a large, international event is a reason in itself for extensive security measures. The fact that Sweden, on top of that, has a high terror threat level and that the situation around the world is troubled has a further impact.
How worried are you that something will happen?
– There will be many people on the move. The police also expect opinions of various kinds, it must be taken very seriously, which it does.
Reinforcements for the police
The police in the south will also receive “significant police reinforcements”, according to Strömmer.
How has the threat picture been affected by Israel’s participation in the competition?
– If you put the arrangement in a broader context, we know that Hamas’s terrorist attack against Israel and the subsequent conflict between Hamas and Israel have created a worsening world situation.
– It also includes the risk that it will lead to increased polarization and radicalization in Sweden as well.
How should the person who wants to go to Eurovision think?
– All the measures that have been taken, both in light of the higher terror threat level but also due to Eurovision, are done so that people can participate in an event like this. Then it is ultimately up to the individual to decide.