Among the defendants are two brothers, 23 and 25 years old. Both have short, buzzed hair and long beards, sitting on either side of the bench for the defendants in the security hall in Stockholm.
Together with a 20-year-old man and a 60-year-old man, they are now facing trial for participating in a terrorist organization – accused of swearing allegiance to IS in Somalia.
The three younger suspects are also suspected of preparing for terrorist crimes and serious weapons offenses in March 2024.
The brothers are said to have converted to Islam in high school. The radicalization is believed to have occurred gradually, but with increasing intensity last year. The prosecutor points to Quran burnings and the Gaza War as driving causes.
There is a pervasive idea that it is wrong to live here in the West, a true Muslim cannot do that according to this school. Either you join IS and live in their territory, or you harm here, says Lars Hedvall in court.
25-year-old driving force
The 25-year-old is said to have had a coordinated role for IS and tried to get others to commit acts of terror for the terrorist group's sake around the world.
In court, Hedvall reads, among other things, from a chat group where the man spreads an IS campaign to kill one's enemies wherever one finds them. "Act now!" he concludes his message in capital letters.
This is a strong call to those who read it to literally kill them wherever they can see them, says the prosecutor.
The 25-year-old is also said to have received instructions from IS to commit acts of terror in Sweden. The trio in Tyresö is later said to have acquired a pistol that would be used to commit or promote crimes.
Religious leader
The fourth, older man, has functioned as a religious leader in the group. He is said to have given advice and instructions on possible targets for attacks and guided on how they can be carried out to be in line with IS's interpretation of Islam.
All four men are linked to a local in Tyresö, where Säpo struck with a special task force on March 7 this year. The same day, the three younger men were arrested. The older man was arrested a few weeks later.
All four deny the crimes.
He denies all participation in IS activities or that he would have placed himself under IS leadership, says 23-year-old's lawyer David Massi.
The trial is scheduled to last until the end of January.
Three of the four defendants are suspected of preparing for terrorist crimes.
According to the indictment, they have possessed a pistol with the intention of killing or harming other people in the name of the Islamic State. They are also charged with serious weapons offenses, due to the alleged possession of weapons.
All four are suspected of participating in a terrorist organization, by acting on behalf of IS in Somalia. This they have done, according to the indictment, by maintaining contact with IS members in Somalia and receiving instructions from them on terrorist acts to be carried out.
All four deny the crimes.
