Swedish authorities tighten border controls after Koran burning cases

Sweden still does not have a law that specifically prohibits the burning or desecration of the Koran or any other religious holy book. The right to publicly demonstrate is valued and protected by the Swedish constitution. The police generally give permission for holding such demonstrations, based on the preliminary assessment that a public gathering of any kind does not pose a risk to the safety of the country and its residents.

The Swedish government has announced the tightening of security measures and border controls, following incidents related to the burning and damage to the Muslim holy book, the Koran, during protests in Sweden and Denmark. The Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, has announced that the measure aims to prevent the penetration of persons with "very weak ties" to the Scandinavian country in the territory of the state, as well as to carry out actions that violate Swedish national interests.

"The measures are aimed at preventing people with "very weak ties to Sweden" from coming to the country to commit crimes or act in conflict with Swedish security interests," the Swedish Prime Minister said at a press conference in Stockholm. Tuesday. Last week, Sweden's internal security service warned that the security situation has worsened following recent Koran burnings in the country and protests in the Muslim world, negatively affecting the Nordic nation's image.

"I think it's a serious situation where Swedish national interests are being threatened," Kristersson said, adding that he remains in close contact with his Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen, on this issue "to protect the values ​​of Denmark and Sweden."

Public acts of Koran desecration by a handful of anti-Islamic activists in Sweden as well as neighboring Denmark have recently sparked protests and outrage in Muslim countries. Sweden still does not have a law that specifically prohibits the burning or desecration of the Koran or any other religious holy book. The right to publicly demonstrate is valued and protected by the Swedish constitution. The police generally give permission to hold such demonstrations, based on the preliminary assessment that a public gathering of any kind does not pose a risk to the safety of the country and its residents.