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Neither the autonomous nor the White Power scene constitute a serious or tangible threat to Swedish democracy. They do, however, prevent individuals from exercising their constitutional rights and freedoms, and may also pose a threat to public order and security. In this context, the threat has increased over the last few years, as the political struggle has come to involve a higher use of violence and illegal methods.
Clashes, revenge actions and pre-arranged fights between the two scenes have also become increasingly common. They also wage what can de described as a propaganda war against each other on the Internet, involving defamation as well as sabotage. A lot of time and resources are spent on mapping the opposite camp, using both legal methods, such as covering trials, and illegal methods, such as various types of computer intrusion.
Clashes between the two scenes can be divided into three categories:
Types of clashes
Clashes between the two scenes can be divided into three categories:
- Large counter-demonstrations. One side will carry out a counter-action to the other side´s demonstration. Such clashes may count several hundred participants on each side.
- Minor clashes. Spontaneous or planned clashes between individuals from the two camps. It happens that small groups agree on a time and place to settle the score.
- Targeted attacks against individuals. Individuals or small groups map individual opponents, who are then threatened or whose houses, cars, etc. are subjected to wilful damage.
Extremist clashes are often concentrated to certain geographical areas and sometimes resemble personal vendettas. There is also a national dimension to the rivalry between the two parties. A fight in Stockholm may very well be an act of revenge for an incident in another part of the country.
Firearms are uncommon, but if used are more likely to be in the hands of White Power supporters. Both sides however use various types of street fighting weapons such as knuckledusters, tear gas, truncheons, fire bombs and knives.
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