Swedish News:

Sweden to remain neutral. Swedish ISIS suspect. Stockholm on high alert.  

  • Swedish security service has received confirmation that the Eurovision final is an ISIS target. High security levels are planned for the May 14 concert at the Globe Arena. The Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm is the largest hemispherical building in the world, seating 16,000 spectators for concerts and 13,850 for ice hockey.

  • Sweden to remain neutral
    In response to an April 28 remark from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that Moscow retains its right to take retaliatory measures if Sweden joins NATO, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and Foreign Minister Margot Wallström said Sweden does not intend to give up its policy of neutrality. "Sweden has been a neutral country for a long time. We have told the world about that many times, and Moscow knows about that," said Löfven, according to the Swedish news agency TT. During years of emphasizing the importance of understanding each other’s military doctrines, Russia has always warned that an enlarged NATO infrastructure approaching Russian borders would cause them to take all necessary military and technical measures. Lavrov said Russia wouldn’t expect Sweden would attack. But, he added: “Since the Swedish military infrastructure will be subordinate to NATO’s Supreme Command in that case, we will certainly have to take some military and technical measures at our northern borders.” He did not specify what measures Russia would take.

  • Stockholm on high alert after reports that eight individuals with previous links to ISIS recently entered Sweden's capital.

  • Swedish ISIS suspect
    A Swedish suspect in the Brussels and Paris attacks decided against detonating a bomb. Instead, the Swede allegedly dumped the explosives into a toilet, and if he is found guilty and sentenced, he may request to serve jail time in Sweden. A legal amendment passed last year makes it likely this prison transfer could take place. Osama Krayem, 23, was born and raised in Malmö. He went to Syria in 2014 to join ISIS; he took his home-made explosive, intended for Brussel’s Maalbeek metro station, and tried to dispose of it in the bathroom of the apartment where the attackers were based. Krayem was arrested on April 8 and charged with "terrorist murders" over last month's suicide blasts in Brussels that killed 32 people and injured 300. He was also charged with links to November's Paris attacks. The lengthy judicial process could take up to a year before the court delivers the verdict.

  • In the press conference introducing his new cabinet Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said, "We will develop the Swedish model, not dismantle it."

  • Stockholm on high alert
    While concern was high for safety around the events of King Carl Gustaf's 70th birthday jubilee during the last week of April, it’s even greater for Eurovision, the May 14 concert at the Globe Arena that’s expected to draw 16,000 people. Eight individuals with previous links to ISIS are known to have entered Stockholm recently and detectives have received information that Eurovision is an ISIS target. A spokesman for the Swedish security service Säpo said, "Information has come our way that we cannot ignore," and Eurovision has confirmed that plans are underway for a high security level at the concert. Given the "general threat" of terrorism in Sweden and Europe, security forces are on high alert and citizens are encouraged to monitor media and local information sources, be prepared for additional security interruptions in their personal activities, and follow the instructions of local authorities.