Combating terrorism

Due to technical issues with Sweden’s state aircraft, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard and Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer were unfortunately re-directed back to Stockholm, Arlanda. This was purely a safety measure and neither passengers nor crew were in danger.

The Government has prepared a new comprehensive national strategy against violent extremism and terrorism and, in the budget, has prioritised measures that reinforce national security in order to provide a long-term focus for efforts in Sweden locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

In December, Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer held a meeting with representatives of a number of government agencies, academia and municipalities to discuss a new comprehensive strategy against violent extremism and terrorism. The Government had previously announced that a new strategy against violent extremism and terrorism would be drafted.

Brochure in pdf format presenting a new comprehensive national strategy against violent extremism and terrorism.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch, Minister for Employment and Integration Johan Pehrson and Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer, opinion piece, Dagens industri, 8 January 2024.

The Government has adopted a new comprehensive national strategy against violent extremism and terrorism. The Government is also tasking the Swedish Security Service, the Swedish Police, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and the Swedish Centre for Preventing Violent Extremism (under the auspices of the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention) with taking measures to incorporate the strategy into their activities.

Sweden is facing a deteriorating security situation, with an increased threat of attacks by terrorists and violent extremists. This situation requires additional measures, not least in efforts to prevent radicalisation and violent extremism. The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention will therefore be tasked with enhancing collaboration between government agencies and other relevant actors to prevent radicalisation and the spread of violent extremism. This assignment will be carried out as part of the activities of the Council’s Swedish Centre for Preventing Violent Extremism.

The Swedish Security Service has raised the terrorist threat level from level 3 (‘elevated’) to level 4 (‘high’) on a 5-level scale. In light of the deteriorating security situation, the Government is working intensively and constantly to take the necessary measures.

The Government has decided to appoint an Inquiry Chair to examine whether Sweden’s security could be considered when examining permit applications and setting conditions for public gatherings under the Public Order Act.

The reactions following the burning of copies of the Quran have led to a deteriorating security situation. The Government has therefore decided to task several government agencies with strengthening Sweden’s ability to prevent, avert and impede terrorism and violent extremism.

The Government has decided to refer proposals to the Council on Legislation. Under these proposals, it would be possible to withdraw a residence permit if it can be assumed that the person will carry out state-sponsored corporate espionage or activities related to terrorism.

Today, the Govern­ment proposed that participation in – and financing partici­pation in – a terrorist organisation should be a punish­able offence. This means that Sweden will have a new powerful tool to combat terrorism.

The Government has proposed that participation in – or financing participation in – a terrorist organisation should be a punishable offence. This would further strengthen the criminal law framework to counter the threat posed by terrorism.

On 26–27 January, Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer and Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard will lead the first informal ministerial meeting of the Presidency in Sweden. The agenda includes EU migration policy, the fight against organised crime and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

The Government decided today to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation aimed at giving the Swedish Police Authority more effective tools to prevent terrorist content being spread online. The legislative proposal complements an EU regulation in this area.

A constitutional amendment that enters into force on 1 January 2023 will allow limitations on freedom of association for groups engaged in terrorism. This means that Sweden will be able to combat terrorism in new and broader ways.

The Government has decided to prolong border controls at Sweden’s internal borders from 12 November 2022 to 11 May 2023. The decision is based on the Government’s assessment that there is a serious threat to public order and internal security in Sweden. The current decision on internal border controls expires at midnight tonight.

National Statement delivered by Ambassador Olof Skoog on behalf of Sweden at the United Nations Security Council Open Briefing on Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Wednesday, 28 June 2017, New York.