Threats of assassination against Sweden have increased recently and explanations include the burning of the Koran in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm and the LVU campaign against social services.
Susanna Trehörning, deputy head of constitutional protection and counter-terrorism at Säpo, warns that many young people are radicalized at home in front of their computer, often in various chat groups.
– It can sometimes be very young people, we have seen examples all the way down to the age of twelve. You take part in different groups where you use this harsh rhetoric, she says.
– Even though you are alone, you feel that you have support in this community, both nationally and internationally, she continues.
Automated algorithms
Susanna Trehörning describes that lonely people with already radical views get these confirmed via automated algorithms
– They mean that you are constantly born with the feeling that the thoughts you have are right, you get it confirmed, you are never questioned. It starts some kind of self-radicalization process, she says.
From opinion to action
When there is suddenly a more agitated atmosphere, such as after Rasmus Paludan’s Koran burnings, these opinions can go from words to action, warns the Säpo manager.
– Then you can get the feeling that now is the time to do something with the opinion you have had before.
See the interview with the Säpo manager in the player above.