The Security Service Chief's decision is based on the assessments made continuously of the terrorist threat against Sweden.
The threat from violent extremism is now not considered as high as it has been previously.
The decision was made in consultation with Must, FRA, and the counter-terrorism council, explains Security Service Chief Charlotte von Essen at a press conference.
The propaganda against Sweden, which previously drove the threat, where Sweden was pointed out as an Islamophobic country, has subsided, says von Essen.
We are no longer considered a priority target but a legitimate target.
The latest assessment was made in February this year. Even then, the Security Service noted that the propaganda surrounding, for example, Quran burnings and the LVU campaign had subsided.
Now we have seen the change for a while and can consider it stable, even when we look ahead, says Charlotte von Essen.
No Bag Ban
The Security Service cannot provide information on what the decrease means concretely, for example, regarding the bag ban at events. The information is primarily directed at other authorities and businesses rather than individual citizens, underlines Charlotte von Essen.
Exact respective measures that apply must be assessed and communicated by the authorities themselves. For the individual, it is about remaining vigilant, she.
The terrorist threat against Sweden is still considered to come from lone actors or small groups within violent Islamist or right-wing extremist environments.
At the same time, there is a warning about an increased threat of sabotage and influence operations from foreign powers, primarily Russia.
Russia is acting both unpredictably and deniably. Russia is more risk-prone, says operational chief Fredrik Hallström.
Increased Threat
The security situation is still serious, according to the Security Service.
We cannot lean back but must remain vigilant, learn to live with a serious security situation, and not contribute to spreading rumors and disinformation, says Charlotte von Essen.
Since August 2023, the terrorist threat level has been at level four on the five-level scale. It was then raised from level three.
Level three – "increased threat" – means that the probability of an attack is increased. Level four, which applied previously, means that there should be a concrete threat.
The threat level consists of five steps:
1. No threat. No threat has been identified.
2. Low threat. The probability that actors have the intention and ability to carry out an attack is low.
3. Increased threat. The probability that actors have the intention and ability to carry out an attack is increased.
4. High threat. The probability that actors have the intention and ability to carry out an attack is high. Threat level four requires that there be a concrete threat against Sweden.
5. Very high. The probability that actors have the intention and ability to carry out an attack is very high. Requires that a concrete threat is imminent or impending. This level has not been used so far.
The decision on the terrorist threat level in Sweden is made by the Security Service Chief.
Source: Security Service
