Britain Warns Its Citizens Of Possible Terrorist Attacks In Sweden

Terminal 5 of Heathrow International Airport, England. (Unsplash/Nick Fewings)

JAKARTA - British authorities on Sunday warned their citizens who would visit Sweden regarding possible terrorist attacks in the country, following a series of burnings of the Qur'an by anti-Islamic activists that anger Muslims.

In an updated travel warning, Britain's Foreign Ministry said Swedish authorities had successfully thwarted several planned attacks and made arrests.

"You have to be vigilant at this time," the ministry said.

"Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Sweden, with places that foreigners visit as potential targets," the ministry continued.

In a statement acknowledging changes to travel warnings from Britain, Sweden's National Security Adviser Henrik Landerholm reiterated the increased threat to Sweden since the arson.

Landerholm said the attack on the Swedish Embassy in Iraq on July 19, an attempted attack on its embassy in Lebanon on August 9 and also the shooting of a Swedish Consulate employee in Turkey on August 1, contributed to a risk assessment.

It is known that the burning of the Qur'an is allowed in Sweden, under the regulation of free speech, but Muslims see the burning of their holy book as blasphemy. The Swedish government itself is considering prohibiting the burning of the holy book in the country.

Previously, the United States Government had also warned of possible terrorist attacks in Sweden on its travel warning.