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Violence-promoting Islamist extremism and radicalisation do exist in Sweden and should not be underestimated as potential threats. However, the currently limited occurrences of these phenomena should be countered mainly by an increased focus on preventive measures. These are the main conclusions of the report on violence-promoting Islamist extremism in Sweden presented to Government today.
In February 2010, the Security Service was commissioned by the Government to put together an official report on violence-promoting Islamist extremism. The report contains a description of violence-promoting Islamist extremism in Sweden, discernible radicalisation processes and tools and strategies for use in countering radicalisation. The overall purpose of the report is to facilitate a more balanced and informed debate on these issues.
According to the report, there are a number of networks based on a violence-promoting Islamist extremist ideology that are currently active in Sweden. Most of these networks focus on action and propaganda against foreign troops in Muslim countries and against governments they see as corrupt and not representing what the networks consider to be the only true interpretation of Islam. Individuals active in these networks engage in activities aiming to support and facilitate terrorist offences mainly in other countries.
The report also shows that the threat from violence-promoting Islamist extremism in Sweden is currently not a threat to the fundamental structures of society, Sweden´s democratic system or Central Government. This form of extremism may however constitute a threat to both individuals and groups.
Violence-promoting Islamist extremism and radicalisation should be countered mainly by an increasing focus on preventive measures. Given the substantial similarities in terms of how and why people radicalise, regardless of ideological affiliation, it should be possible to better coordinate preventive efforts and countermeasures targeting various extremist groups.
Swedish Security Service Press Room
Phone +46 (0)10 568 79 00
Email: info@sakerhetspolisen.se
Focus on other countries
According to the report, there are a number of networks based on a violence-promoting Islamist extremist ideology that are currently active in Sweden. Most of these networks focus on action and propaganda against foreign troops in Muslim countries and against governments they see as corrupt and not representing what the networks consider to be the only true interpretation of Islam. Individuals active in these networks engage in activities aiming to support and facilitate terrorist offences mainly in other countries.
Relatively limited number of people
The report also shows that the threat from violence-promoting Islamist extremism in Sweden is currently not a threat to the fundamental structures of society, Sweden´s democratic system or Central Government. This form of extremism may however constitute a threat to both individuals and groups.
Only a relatively limited number of people are involved in violence-promoting Islamist extremism, and the group of active members on whose actions the descriptions in this report are based consists of just under 200 individuals. There is nothing to indicate that the number of people radicalised in Sweden is growing.
The importance of preventive measures
Violence-promoting Islamist extremism and radicalisation should be countered mainly by an increasing focus on preventive measures. Given the substantial similarities in terms of how and why people radicalise, regardless of ideological affiliation, it should be possible to better coordinate preventive efforts and countermeasures targeting various extremist groups.
Experiences and knowledge gained from crime prevention initiatives in general should also play a more prominent role. Preventive work should be engaged in by actors on all levels of society — nationally, regionally as well as locally.
Contact:
Swedish Security Service Press Room
Phone +46 (0)10 568 79 00
Email: info@sakerhetspolisen.se
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