In a short time, both Oslo and Copenhagen have been hit by fatal shootings where the public has been targeted.
Two men were killed and several people were injured in a terrorist attack in Oslo during the night until 25 June. At least one perpetrator shot people on a pub street in central Oslo. 42-year-old Zaniar Matapour has been arrested and is suspected of the act.
Just over a week later, a 22-year-old man, armed with a rifle, stepped into a shopping center on Amager in Copenhagen and opened fire. Three people were killed and four were seriously injured, two of them Swedes. The suspect has been arrested and is suspected of murder.
“It is important to live as we do”
According to Gabriel Wernstedt, spokesperson for the Security Police (Säpo), it is important not to let life be affected too much by what has happened in our neighboring countries.
– It is clear that we have respect for the fact that individuals feel a fear or a discomfort. At the same time, it is important that we actually continue to live as we do. We live in an open and democratic society and the Security Police’s mission is to protect Sweden and democracy. Our main task is to prevent a terrorist attack.
“Terrorist attacks can happen”
There is today an increased threat of terrorist attacks in Sweden. However, the threat level has not been raised further after the terrorist attack in Oslo or the fatal shooting in Copenhagen, but has remained unchanged since 2010.
– It is a third on a five-point scale. Within the framework of the level, there may be a terrorist attack. With that said, it is the Security Police’s task to prevent this from happening.
Wernstedt describes the Swedish terrorist threat level as long-term and strategic.
– The level is a basis, a tool that we have to use. Each level means that you can take certain actions. For our part, this means that we use all our resources that we have to prevent a terrorist attack from taking place in Sweden.
Säpo does not comment on individual information, but works daily to review and analyze intelligence.
– These are analyzed on the basis of the intention and ability, in individuals, to commit terrorist attacks or other serious violent crimes, says Wernstedt.