The Swedish Security Service (SAPO) said on Thursday that it has raised its terrorist threat level to four on the five-point scale amid mounting international tension over the burning of copies of the Quran at demonstrations in the Nordic country.
The Kingdom of Morocco recalled its ambassador to Sweden, while Sweden’s chargé d’affaires in Rabat was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to receive the Kingdom’s condemnation of allowing Quran desecration.
The head of SAPO said in a news conference that the threat against Sweden has gradually changed and the threat of attacks from actors from violent Islamist groups has increased during the year, adding that the country has gone from being considered a legitimate target for terrorist attacks to being considered a prioritized target.
It is the first time since 2016 that the country has changed its threat level to four, according to The Guardian.
Morocco and numerous Muslim countries have denounced the act of Quran desecration.
According to Aljazeera, the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warned citizens against visiting Sweden due to an increased possibility of attacks triggered by the Islamophobic displays. The United States Department of State has also issued a travel advisory, warning of possible terrorist attacks in Sweden.
The Swedish authorities appearing to allow the desecration of the Quran has drawn widespread criticism from Muslims around the world.
In July, The United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution sponsored by Morocco denouncing the burning of the Quran and hate speech. The resolution strongly denounces all acts of violence and hatred targeted at individuals because of their religion or beliefs, as well as violence directed at religious symbols and sacred books.