UK warns of possible terrorist attacks in Sweden

Foreign Office advises travellers to the country to be vigilant

A man holds a copy of Islam's holy book the Quran as he with others take part in a rally, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, July 2, 2023, against the desecration of Islam's holy book Quran that took place in Sweden. APShow less

The UK updated its travel advice for Sweden on Sunday, warning citizens who plan to visit the country of possible terrorist attacks following Quran burnings by anti-Islam activists that have outraged Muslims.

Swedish authorities had successfully disrupted some planned attacks and made arrests, the UK's Foreign Office said.

"You should be vigilant at this time," it said, adding that "terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Sweden" with places visited by foreigners potential targets.

In a statement acknowledging the UK's changed travel advice, Sweden's national security adviser Henrik Landerholm reiterated the increased threats to Sweden since the burnings.

Mr Landerholm said the storming of Sweden's embassy in Iraq on July 19, an attempted attack on its embassy in Lebanon on August 9, and also the August 1 shooting of an employee at a Swedish consulate in Turkey contributed to the risk assessment.

Protests against desecration of Quran in Sweden - in pictures

Demonstrators gather outside the Swedish embassy in Tehran to protest against an insult to the Quran in Stockholm. Reuters

A demonstrator holds up the Quran and a portrait of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a protest against Sweden in front of the Swedish embassy in Tehran. AP

An egg is thrown by demonstrator at the Swedish embassy in Tehran during a protest against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. AP

In Tehran, Iranian students gather during a demonstration denouncing the burning of the Quran in Sweden. AFP

An egg is thrown by demonstrator at the Swedish embassy in Tehran during a protest against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. AP

Iranian students outside the Swedish embassy in Tehran denounce the burning of the Quran in Sweden. AFP

Protesters carrying Iraqi flags and images of Shiite cleric and political leader Moqtada Al Sadr gather in Baghdad's Tahrir Square to protest against the burning of a Quran outside the Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark. AP

Protesters chant slogans against Sweden in front of the embassy in Tehran, Iran. The Farsi placard on the left reads: "Our red lines are the supreme leader and the Quran". AP

A Lebanese man takes part in a demonstration in Beirut called by Hezbollah to condemn the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. Reuters

People march in Beirut after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called for protests outside mosques following Friday prayers. EPA

The scene in Beirut as thousands of people took to the streets in Muslim-majority countries to protest. EPA

A woman holds the Quran in Kufa, Iraq, in protest after an activist desecrated a copy of the holy book for a second time in Sweden. AFP

A demonstrator holds up a portrait of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, in Kufa. AFP

Shiite clerics attend a protest in Baghdad, after Iraq called for an Islamic summit to discuss the desecration of the Quran. EPA

Protesters burn posters of the Swedish flag and rainbow Pride flags in Sadr City, Baghdad. AFP

Iranian worshippers hold up the Quran in Tehran. The country's goverment condemned the desecration in Sweden. AP

Demonstrators in the Iranian capital Tehran chanted: 'Down with the United States, Britain, Israel and Sweden'. Reuters

Demonstrators in Tehran march with signs denouncing the US and Israel as they condemn the burning of the Quran. AFP

Quran burnings are permitted in Sweden under free speech rules, but Muslims see the burning of their holy book as blasphemy.

The US government has also warned of possible terrorist attacks in Sweden in its travel advice.