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News from the Swedish Security Service.
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Person charged with national security breach
On 9 december 2019, a person was charged with arbitrary conduct in negotiation with a foreign power, suspected of having unlawfully been in contact with individuals representing Chinese state interests.
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Individual charged on suspicion of refugee espionage
On 6 October, criminal charges were brought against a man suspected of serious unlawful intelligence activities against several individuals, also known as refugee espionage. The criminal investigation, headed by a national security prosecutor, has been run by the Swedish Security Service Read More
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Development of violent right-wing extremism
The Security Service has noted a development in the violent right-wing extremist scene that could increase the risk of certain individuals being inspired to carry out attacks or violent crime. This development, in which violent right-wing extremist ideology might be going from something considered extreme to something considered normal, could promt certain individuals to become radicalised. Read More
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Individual remanded in custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a terrorist offence
On 16 August, an individual was remanded in custody, suspected on probable grounds of conspiracy to commit a terrorist offence. The criminal investigation, headed by a prosecutor, is being carried out by the Swedish Security Service. Read More
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Criminal charges filed against a man for gathering and sharing information on critical facilities
On 6 August 2019, in the Gothenburg City Court, a man was charged with unauthorised dealing with secret information of great importance to the security of Sweden. Read More
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Two-pronged threat from extremism
There is a long-term extremist threat to our democratic system which emanates not only from the white power and autonomous movements but also from violent Islamism. The Service must deal with this threat as well as with the threat that a terrorist attack could still occur. Long-term strategic efforts are vital in order to reduce these threats. Read More
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Foreign powers operating in a grey area
Foreign powers are operating in a grey area between peace and armed conflict to gain an advantage to be used against Sweden. The attacks are aimed at all sectors of Swedish society. In order to handle this threat, Sweden must become more resilient. Read More
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Protective security requires knowledge about the threat
As an increasing number of government agencies and private operators engage in security-sensitive activities, they are risking attacks by foreign powers. In addition to this, there is also the reality of the insider threat. A holistic approach is therefore necessary to strengthen protective security. Read More
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The Swedish Security Service wants an inquiry to investigate criminalising terrorist propaganda
The Swedish Security Service wants the Government to appoint an inquiry to investigate criminalising possession and consumption of terrorist propaganda, such as execution videos and depictions of extreme violence. Klas Friberg, Head of the Service, explains why in an opinion article. Read More
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Intensified efforts to counter extremism
In recent months, the Security Service has taken a number of actions against individuals identified as having a key role in extremist movements. As part of these efforts, the Security Service has applied to the Swedish Migration Agency for the expulsion of several individuals known to have been heavily involved in radicalisation for a long period of time. Read More
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English version of Swedish Security Service 2018 Yearbook
The Swedish Security Service 2018 Yearbook is now available in English. In this Yearbook, the Service notes, among other things, that the threats Sweden is facing are wider and different in nature than a few years ago. This has increased the importance of protecting the nation’s most critical assets. Read More
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Assessment of the terrorist threat to Sweden in 2019
Islamist-motivated terrorism continues to pose the main terrorist threat to Sweden. This was reported by the National Centre for Terrorist Threat Assessment (NCT) in its one-year assessment for 2019. Read More
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The Court of Appeal upholds the prison sentence for unlawful intelligence activities targeting refugee
The man charged on suspicion of unlawful intelligence activities targeting refugees within the Tibetan community in Sweden has been sentenced to imprisonment for one year and eight months by the Svea Court of Appeal. Read More
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Facing a wider range of threats in 2018
The threats Sweden is facing are wider and different in nature than a few years ago. This has increased the importance of protecting the nation’s most critical assets, and remaining shortcomings in this respect need to be addressed. This situation is described in the Swedish Security Service’s 2018 Yearbook, published on 14 March. Read More
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Individual arrested on suspicion of unlawful intelligence activities
On 27 February, the Swedish Security Service arrested an individual on suspicion of unlawful intelligence activities. A criminal investigation into this matter, headed by a prosecutor at the National Security Unit, is being run by the Security Service. Read More
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Individual arrested on suspicion of having carried out unlawful intelligence activities against Sweden
An individual has been arrested on suspicion of having carried out unlawful intelligence activities against Sweden. A criminal investigation into this matter, headed by a national security prosecutor, is being run by the Security Service. Read More
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Great efforts are needed to reduce the gap between threats and security
The current intelligence threat to Sweden is more comprehensive than it has been in several years. Extensive efforts are necessary to reduce the vulnerabilities associated with critical assets. Read More
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Successful preventive work prior to the elections
In a long-term perspective, foreign powers carry out influence operations on Sweden; however, the 2018 elections were not affected by any extensive influencing attempts. This assessment was made by the Swedish Security Service in a summary of its work to protect the elections and corresponds to the assessment made by the Service before 2018. Read More
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One person suspected of preparation to commit a terrorist offence
One person has been arrested on suspicion of preparation or conspiracy to commit a terrorist offence, among other things. Several other persons have been taken in for questioning. Read More
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The Security Service's intelligence work in focus
The Security Service is tasked with preventing and detecting offences against Sweden and Swedish democracy. Intelligence work is carried out around the clock and year round, often under extreme time pressure. National as well as international cooperation is very important to these efforts. Read More
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Man convicted of unlawful threat and attempted murder
The man charged with several counts of aggravated unlawful threat and attempted murder has been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment by Stockholm City Court which also ordered him to pay damages. The prosecutor-led criminal investigation was carried out by the Swedish Security Service. Read More
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One person arrested on suspicion of serious crimes in Denmark
On 21 October the Swedish Security Service arrested one person on suspicion of unlawful intelligence activities targeting refugees, and preparation to commit murder. The person was arrested following a request from the Danish Security and Intelligence Service, PET. Read More
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Attempts to influence confidence in the election process
The Swedish Security Service has noted attempts to damage confidence in the election process and the democratic system in view of the 9 September elections. Currently these activities are within what we expected, and do not put the election result at risk. Read More
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Man charged with aggravated unlawful threat and attempted murder
A man suspected of several counts of aggravated unlawful threat and attempted murder was charged in Stockholm City Court on 15 August. The prosecutor-led criminal investigation was carried out by the Swedish Security Service. Read More
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Assessment of the terrorist threat in 2018
As reported in the one-year assessment by the National Centre for Terrorist Threat Assessment (NCT), the main terrorist threat to Sweden is posed by Islamist-motivated terrorism Read More
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Prison sentence for unlawful intelligence activities
The man charged with spying on the Tibetan community in Sweden has been convicted of serious unlawful intelligence activities against several individuals and sentenced to imprisonment for one year and ten months. Read More
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Life imprisonment for the attack in central Stockholm
The defendant charged with the attack in central Stockholm on 7 April 2017 was sentenced to life imprisonment and expulsion by the Stockholm District Court on 7 June 2018. He has, among a series of crimes, been found guilty of terrorist offence. Read More
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The Swedish Security Service investigates a terrorist offence allegedly committed in Iraq
On 4 June 2018, the investigation of a case involving two Swedish citizens reportedly killed in Iraq this year was transferred to the Swedish Security Service. A terrorist organisation recently published an execution video on the internet. Read More
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Three remanded in custody on suspicion of preparation to commit a terrorist offence
On 3 May 2018, three individuals were remanded in custody by Solna District Court on suspicion of preparation to commit a terrorist offence. Read More
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Several individuals suspected of preparation to commit a terrorist offence
Three individuals have been arrested on suspicion of preparation to carry out a terrorist attack. The Swedish Security Service, assisted by the Swedish Police Authority, has taken action in several locations in Sweden on 30 April. Read More
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Man charged with carrying out unlawful intelligence activities
A man arrested by the Security Service more than one year ago on suspicion of espionage against refugees in Sweden has now been charged with serious unlawful intelligence activities against several individuals in Sweden.
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Klas Friberg appointed new Head of the Swedish Security Service
The Swedish Government has appointed Klas Friberg, formerly Chief Commissioner of Police Region West, as new Director General and Head of the Swedish Security Service. Mr Friberg assumes this post on 1 March 2018. Read More
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Facing a ‘new normal’ in 2017
In 2017 it became obvious that our country is facing a ‘new normal’, with a growing extremist scene, an increased intelligence threat and inadequate protective security measures. This situation is described in the Swedish Security Service’s 2017 Yearbook, published on 22 February.
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Anders Thornberg named new National Police Commissioner
The Swedish Government has appointed Anders Thornberg as the new National Police Commissioner. He will assume the post on 15 February and will thus leave his current post as Head of the Swedish Security Service.
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Formal charges brought against Stockholm terrorist suspect
The man detained on suspicion of having carried out the attack on Drottninggatan in Stockholm last year has now been charged for crimes including terrorist offence and attempted terrorist offence. The trial is expected to begin shortly and to take place over the course of several months. The Swedish Security Service has assisted with the criminal investigation against the prosecuted man.
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Risk of interference in Swedish elections 2018
The Swedish election system is robust. Still, incidents in other countries have made it clear that the Swedish Security Service must work to protect the election campaign from interference from foreign powers. Read More
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Terrorist threat remains elevated
The terrorist threat to Sweden remains at an elevated level. As the threat from terrorism is a shared European challenge, the Swedish Security Service works closely with partner services in other countries to prevent threats and thwart attack plans. Read More
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Invitation to a press conference – prosecution for terrorist crimes in Stockholm
On Tuesday 30 January, Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor at the National Security Unit, Hans Ihrman, will indict a suspect concerning terrorist crimes committed in central Stockholm on 7 April 2017. The media is invited to a press conference regarding this prosecution. Read More
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Initiating a new form of cooperation with foreign police agencies
During the EU Summit in Gothenburg on 17 November 2017, the Swedish Security Service will be assisted by close protection officers from the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET). This new form of cooperation is made possible by recent legislation. Read More
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The Swedish Security Service's work in association with the Gothenburg Summit
Since the spring, the Service has been preparing for the EU Summit taking place in Gothenburg on 17 November 2017. These preparations are being carried out in cooperation with the Swedish Police and the Government Offices.
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Limiting data retention would have serious consequences for Swedish security
Data retention is essential to the ability to detect terrorist networks, prevent terrorist attacks and counter espionage. Not giving the Swedish Security Service access to telecommunications data held by operators will have serious consequences for the Service’s operational capability and for Swedish security. This is stated by the Service’s experts in their comments to the proposals of the Commission on Data Retention and EU Law which were presented on 11 October. Read More
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The Security Service’s protective security audit of the Transport Agency
Anders Thornberg, Head of the Swedish Security Service, participated in a press conference on 24 July 2017 called by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, in order to give an account of the Service’s protective security audit of the Transport Agency. The audit revealed shortcomings in the Transport Agency’s procurement procedures for the outsourcing of its IT operations. Read More
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Continued intense work after the Stockholm attack
The Swedish Security Service is still working intensely due to yesterday's attack in Stockholm. The focus is now to investigate who is behind the attack and to make sure no more attacks occur. Read More
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Attack on Drottninggatan in Stockholm
The Swedish Security Service was alarmed at 2.55 pm on Friday that a truck had driven into a crowd in on Drottninggatan in the centre of Stockholm. There are several deaths and multiple casualties. Read More
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Launch of the Swedish Security Service 2016 yearbook
Several terrorist attacks in Europe, a hardened climate in political debates, and a tense security situation in our part of the world are what characterised the year 2016, in the perspective of the Swedish Security Service. Read More
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The information received is currently under assessment
The Swedish Security Service (SAEPO) is currently assessing the information we have received. In our assessment, the nature of this information is such that it cannot be dismissed. Read More
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Threat level in Sweden returns to elevated (Level 3 on a five-level scale)
A decision was taken on 2 March 2016 by the Director General of the Security Service, Anders Thornberg, to reduce the national terrorist threat level from high (4) to elevated (3) on a five-level scale. Read More
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Life imprisonment for terrorist crime
14 December two men, 30 and 32 years of age, were sentenced in Gothenburg City Court to life imprisonment for terrorist offences in association with two murders in Syria in 2013. The prosecution charges had been laid by the National Security Unit. Read More
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Suspected terrorist plotter released from police custody
The prosecutor today decided to release the man arrested on suspicion of preparation to commit a terrorist offence. He is no longer a suspect. The ongoing criminal investigation now aims to thoroughly examine and refute the original information. Read More
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One person arrested on suspicion of preparation to commit a terrorist offence
A Security Service operation in Sweden on 19 November resulted in the successful arrest of the man arrested in absentia on 17 November on suspicion of preparation to commit a terrorist offence. Read More
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Terrorist threat level has been raised in Sweden
The Director General of the Swedish Security Service, Anders Thornberg, has decided to raise the terrorist threat level in Sweden from 3-elevated to 4-high, on a 5-level scale. Read More
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National and international cooperation after the Paris attacks
The Swedish Security Service is taking active measures to thoroughly assess the security situation in Sweden following the dramatic events in Paris on Friday night. At present, there are no known links between our country and the terrorist attacks in Paris. Read More
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Anders Thornberg interviewed on TV4 morning news program
On Saturday 3 October, Anders Thornberg, Head of the Swedish Security Service, was interviewed on the TV4 morning news program. The main topics of this interview were the current radicalisation wave in violence-promoting Islamist extremist circles and the growing problem of individuals travelling to conflict areas to join terrorist groups. The proposed tightening of Swedish anti-terrorist legislation was also discussed. Read More
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New strategy leading the way
The Service welcomes the new strategy against terrorism, which was presented by the Swedish Government in the end of August. The document provides a useful, strategic platform and identifies a number of areas that we, other government agencies and a wide range of stakeholders could address as part of our counter-terrorism efforts. Read More
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Coordinated searches carried out in Gothenburg, Sweden
On 23 July, the Swedish Security Service carried out coordinated searches at several locations in the Gothenburg area. Two individuals were arrested on suspicion of terrorist offences, for murder in Syria. There is a warrant out for the arrest of one more individual. Read More
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Security Service Yearbook 2014
Our new yearbook, published on 18 March, shows that 2014 was a hectic year for the Service. Read More
