What happened
More and more people in Sweden are being inspired by violent extremist propaganda. This is stated by Säkerhetspolisen in an interview with Sveriges Radio Ekot. According to Fredrik Hallström, head of operations at Säpo, it involves propaganda advocating ”very, very severe violence”.
Our analysis
When Säpo sounds the alarm on extremism, it rarely takes long before the debate derails. In Swedish politics, such warnings are often used to single out entire groups. New Swedes are placed under collective suspicion, especially Muslims. At the same time, it is often forgotten that lethal violence and threats from right-wing extremist environments are directed straight at New Swedes.
Extremism is a real poison regardless of which ideology or religion is used as a cover. We judge every movement by what it does to people. But regular news coverage misses who bears the heaviest burden. New Swedes pay a double price: they are targeted by extremists' hatred and targeted by politicians' harsh rhetoric.
Politicians who want to appear decisive demand more checks and tougher laws. They talk less often about their own responsibility. When leading politicians normalize harsh us-and-them rhetoric, they themselves create the breeding ground where extremist propaganda takes root. Security is not built by casting suspicion on neighbors, but by protecting everyone who carries this country.
Explained
Säkerhetspolisen (Säpo) is the Swedish government agency tasked with protecting democracy and investigating crimes related to terrorism, espionage, and national security.