The Swedish leadership fears that the Koran provocations made in Denmark may cause countermeasures in Sweden as well.
Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson says that the government will make a decision on Thursday to tighten border control and immigration due to the deteriorating security situation.
According to Kristersson, persons with only a loose relationship with Sweden will not be allowed to commit crimes or attack Sweden’s security interests.
Kristersson and the Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer held a press conference during the day, where they told how to improve the country’s security situation due to the threat created by the burning of the Koran.
According to Kristersson, a serious foreign policy problem has arisen when some individuals have abused their legal right to freedom of expression. Legal but objectionable expressions have been used.
– In the USA, one would say “lawful, but awful” [laillista, mutta kauheaa]Kristersson compared.
According to him, the Swedish government has been in contact with numerous parties, such as various states and religious organizations. Sweden’s message is that the provocations carried out by individuals do not represent the position of the Swedish state.
More rights for the police
Minister of Justice Strömmer said that the police have received more powers to carry out checks on persons and vehicles near the borders.
According to the ministers, the intelligence activities of the authorities are important in order to find persons who may be prone to violence. According to Strömmer, five people were arrested on suspicion of terrorism in April. In May, two people were arrested in Germany who were suspected of planning a terrorist attack on Sweden.
Several Korans have been burned in Denmark in recent days, just like earlier this year in Sweden. Most often, the perpetrators have been extreme right-wing politicians who want to provoke Muslims, for whom the Koran is a holy book.
The OIC, an organization of Islamic countries, has been meeting to discuss countermeasures aimed at Denmark. In Sweden, it is feared that measures will be directed at it as well.
Should the burning of the Koran be banned – the Prime Minister did not answer
The journalist of Uutistoimisto TT directly asked if Sweden is about to ban the burning of the Koran. Prime Minister Kristersson did not answer the question directly. He emphasized, however, that since Sweden’s freedom of expression is very extensive, it also includes extensive responsibility.
According to Kristersson, Sweden also does not bend in the face of pressure from abroad to change its own laws.