Sweden raises its terror threat level to high for fear of attacks following recent Quran burnings

By KARL RITTER and JAN M. OLSEN
Associated Press

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden has raised its terror alert to the second-highest level. The move comes after a string of public desecrations of the Quran sparked angry demonstrations across Muslim countries and threats from militant groups. The Swedish Security Service, known as SÄPO, lifted on Thursday the “terror threat level” to “high,” the fourth of five levels, for the first time since 2016. It reflects Swedish concerns that repeated Quran-burnings this year by a handful of anti-Islam activists have made the Scandinavian country a prime target for Islamic extremists. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson warned that “terrorist groups that have urged their sympathizers around the world to take revenge for the Quran burnings,” including Hezbollah in Lebanon, al-Shabab in Somalia and al-Qaida.