Säpo after the US warning: "It's problematic"

Magnus Ranstorp : The expert on terrorist threats: Will last a long time  

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Amanda Hällsten ,  

Emil Forsberg  

Published: Less than 2 hours ago  

Updated: Less than 50 min ago  

NEWS  

The US warns of potential terrorist attacks in Sweden.  

Terrorism experts fear that the threat will remain for a long time. 

- We can state that the situation is problematic, says Fredrik Hultgren-Friberg at Säpo.  

The US embassy in Stockholm has recently issued a warning about potential terrorist attacks in Sweden.  

After that, new rumors have gained momentum on text messages and in social media.  

But the Security Police, Säpo, does not assess that the terrorist threat level has been raised further in recent weeks. 

- The terrorist threat level remains at an elevated level, a third on the five-point scale. It has been at that level since 2010, says Fredrik Hultgren-Friberg, press spokesperson for Säpo. 

However, he does not want to comment on rumours. 

- The security police are not in a position to comment on possible rumors on social media or that type of information, he says. 

Säpo: Koran burning can be threatening  

However, the fact that the threat of a terrorist act is at a three means that there is a risk that an attack could occur, according to Säpo. 

- The security police follow the situation around the world and we can state that the situation is problematic, recent events may affect the intention of individuals to commit attacks in Sweden, continues Fredrik Hultgren-Friberg.  

Säpo has previously stated that the development of events as a result of the Koran burning, the Erdogan doll and the protests that followed are "very problematic". They have also stated that this development in itself can be "threatening". 

- We continuously follow the development of events that are happening now and events in the outside world that may affect the situation, says Fredrik Hultgren-Friberg.

“Can be very long lasting” 

  

Magnus Ranstorp. Photo: TT  

Terror expert and political scientist Magnus Ranstorp believes that the international reaction to the Koran burnings may have been behind the American warning. 

But he does not believe there is any major cause for concern. 

- The American warnings are quite general. It's really just about being a little extra vigilant. These threats figure often, but it has been a long time since we had a major attack in Europe. Last year, there was almost nothing with an IS connection, as many are in prison.  

Ranstorp fears, however, that the threat may remain for a long, long time 

- Threats like this can be very long-lasting. It can take a long time before something happens and it becomes concrete. Then it's about what Rasmus Paludan will do. Now he is down and wreaking havoc in Denmark and I think it depends a lot on how he acts, he says and continues: 

- If he returns and gets a lot of attention internationally, that's a problem. But the damage is already done. The LVU campaign was intense until the end of December and since then has been up and down. But it continues to this day with slightly different intensity. This campaign will also continue, I am convinced of that. 

No comments on the situation  

Since the American warning came out, Aftonbladet has contacted the American embassy several times to ask what they base their assessment on. The embassy has not yet returned.  

Aftonbladet has also contacted Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M), but he has not responded either.  

The Foreign Ministry's press department announces that they refrain from commenting on the situation.

"The Foreign Ministry refrains from commenting on this," they write in an email.  

Aftonbladet has also applied to the Swedish Agency for Community Protection and Preparedness, which refers questions to Säpo.  

The US embassy issued the warning on Monday. Photo: Screenshot