Security Police Chief Charlotta von Essen Considers Sweden’s Security Situation Serious and Warns That It Could Worsen Quickly
Charlotta von Essen, the head of Säpo (Säkerhetspolisen), Sweden’s counterpart to Finland’s Supo (Suojelupoliisi), has determined that the terrorist threat level in Sweden remains significantly elevated.
Sweden uses a five-tiered threat scale. Von Essen’s decision keeps the threat level at four, the second-highest classification.
The Säpo chief makes her assessment at the beginning of each year.
The terrorist threat has been considered serious, at level four, since August 2023.
However, von Essen told Yle that the factors behind the terrorist threat have now changed.
Von Essen stated that previously, the greatest threat came from Islamist extremist movements that support violence and from violent right-wing extremism. In the past, Sweden was one of the top targets for Islamist terrorist groups.
According to von Essen, this threat still exists, but Sweden is no longer at the top of the target list.
Instead, security threats have become more complex and are now being amplified by state actors, which, according to von Essen, include Iran and Russia.
–- "The situation has worsened and could deteriorate even further very quickly. Additionally, the threats are becoming increasingly difficult to interpret."
Von Essen indicated that there are signs in Sweden that, for example, Iran has started exploiting organized Swedish criminal networks for its attacks.
–- "We have seen how Iran operates in Sweden, using criminal networks to target groups of people, individuals, and even states."
Last January, a hand grenade was found outside the Israeli embassy, which police later detonated. In October, there was a shooting near the embassy.
However, von Essen also noted that Russia uses intermediaries for terrorist acts.
–- "We know that Russia uses intermediaries for its operations, some of which can escalate into outright acts of terrorism."
According to von Essen, the most likely perpetrator of a terrorist attack is still an individual acting alone, often referred to as a "lone wolf."
Von Essen stated that events in the Middle East are impacting Sweden’s security situation. Currently, developments in Syria are of particular concern to Swedish security authorities.
–- "We are currently handling a trial related to the preparation of a terrorist act. The Security Police managed to disrupt the preparations before anything could happen. This case has connections to the Islamist extremist ISIS organization and Somalia, but it also has links to Swedish organized crime—meaning that threats are now merging."
Since Yle interviewed von Essen at the Sälen security conference, Sweden has reported additional explosive attacks.
Additionally, Salwan Momika, known for burning the Quran, was shot dead on Wednesday.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson openly speculated that a state actor may have been responsible for Momika’s killing.