'Terror' threats increased over Quran burnings, Swedish police says
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Acts of desecration of the Quran have been frequently taking place in Sweden since January.
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Police officers attend the scene after police shot and wounded a man at Malmo central station, Sweden, June 10, 2019 (AP)
The Swedish Security Services said in a statement on Wednesday that the situation in the country is at risk of seeing increasing terror threats after Stockholm authorized protests involving the desecration of the Quran have sparked outrage against the Nordic country across the Muslim world.
According to the statement, Sweden is "now dealing with ongoing threats of attacks directed at Sweden and Swedish interests. It added that the terror threat assessment is maintained at an "elevated" level of three on a five-point scale.
The statement reads that Sweden has been 'incorrectly' portrayed as "a country hostile to Islam and Muslims, where attacks on Muslims are sanctioned by the state and where Muslim children can be kidnapped by social services."
Acts of desecration of the Quran have been frequently taking place in Sweden since January.
However, authorities believe that the acts of desecration were intentionally done to impede Sweden's accession to NATO.
A week ago, Sweden's embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, was raided and shut down due to islamophobic acts.
Read more: Iran not to accept new Swedish envoy: Iran FM
The police in Sweden have repeatedly denied permits for protests involving the desecration of the Quran, but their decision was overturned by courts under the pretext of supporting freedom of speech.
Earlier today, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution condemning any acts of violence against sacred texts as a breach of international law.
The resolution comes following a string of Quran burnings in European countries, including Sweden, which was permitted by authorities and drew international condemnation.
According to Muslim leaders and lawmakers, desecrations are not protected by free expression legislation.
The proposal, brought forward by Morocco, was unanimously accepted by the 193-member General Assembly.
It deplored ''all acts of violence against persons on the basis of their religion or belief, as well as any such acts directed against their religious symbols, holy books, homes, businesses, properties, schools, cultural centers or places of worship, as well as all attacks on and in religious places, sites and shrines in violation of international law.''
Read more: Reactions to Quran burning in Denmark, Sweden continue
