Between 5,000 and 6,000 people have traveled to war zones in Iraq and Syria in recent years to join the Islamic State (IS). Since the fall of the so-called Caliphate in March earlier this year, many have returned. However, many are still incarcerated or in refugee camps in the area. Many of them adhere to their radical ideology, the UN report shows.

terror Support

Of the 300 Swedes who have joined IS, half have returned. The IS returnees' terrorist links are more about supporting terrorist activities than carrying out attacks, says Ahn-Za Hagström, senior analyst at the Security Police.

How countries should deal with citizens who have joined IS and are now incarcerated or in refugee camps was the focus of the debate earlier this spring. Interior Minister Mikael Damberg (S) writes in a comment to SVT that he is stuck with his previous line. "The focus must also remain on bringing these people to justice, preferably on location in the region with proximity to evidence and witnesses."

At the same time, the Security Police make the assessment that the longer you spend in conflict areas, the more impact you are exposed to.

Missing radicalization

According to Magnus Ranstorp, research leader at the Swedish Defense College, several European governments find it hard to stop the Islamist radicalization that is still ongoing. There is no de-radicalization program and measures to slow development.

- The security police and the police should really be the last instance, but now they are the first and only.

However, Magnus Ranstorp sees a positive measure in the custody of the six imams that the Security Police did last spring.

- These imams have been major players in facilitation, financing and also radicalization, he says.