It was last Thursday that the Security Police raised the terror threat level in Sweden from three to four. According to Magnus Ranstorp, there are many who want to take advantage of the fact that the security situation in Sweden has deteriorated, for their own gain.
– Both states and terrorist groups who see this as an opportune conflict that can be used to show that they are relevant but also to create this division.
Ranstorp describes around five terrorist organizations that have directed specific threats against Sweden, and highlights Al-Qaeda in particular.
– The communique that came out was the most serious. Al-Qaeda sees an opportunity here to prove relevant, they have been damaged and decimated. They are a very real threat. They talk about killing everyone involved in the Koran burnings, attacking Sweden and the Danish embassy. They talk about slaughtering diplomats abroad and they talk about switching to three-man cells, i.e. small clusters of individuals who plan attacks that really hurt. I think that is what Säpo is most worried about.
Even state actors can benefit from the deteriorating security situation. Turkey and Iran are mentioned as examples.
– For example, Erdogan who wants to paint a picture that the whole of Europe is Islamophobic. Then it becomes very easy to just watch. Iran to not have to focus on its internal unrest.
Loneliness biggest threat
Evin Ismail is a doctor in sociology at the Norwegian Defense Academy. Despite threats from organizations and states, she highlights lone-acting as the concrete biggest threat to crime in Sweden.
– Säpo still keeps track of people in the networks, but there may be people outside who are inspired, upset, they may be isolated and frustrated. Such persons are the most difficult challenge in this situation.
Keep an eye on your surroundings
Both the Security Police, the government and other experts have pointed out that the public should be calm but vigilant. A call Ismail agrees with. She also advises to keep a little extra eye on your immediate surroundings.
– When it comes to acting alone, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your surroundings. It has been seen that in the past it has been family members who have contacted the police and raised the alarm that a family member is planning an attack. It is important to think about. These people are all around us. If you see a person who starts to express very extreme opinions, acquire goods that are not so logical, isolate themselves and start to become obsessed. Then it’s time to take a call and then contact the police because they are the best at determining whether this is serious or not. This applies to both the violent Islamist environment and the extreme right.
Ranstorp agrees.
– Whether it is right-wing extremists or violent Islamists, they often leak information to their loved ones.