Damberg: "Islamist forces that resort to violence are one of the biggest threats to Europe"

The Swedish police decided this week to initiate a "national special event" in order to be able to act quickly in the event of a possible terrorist attack.

This after three terrorist attacks in France and Austria in recent weeks.

At the act in Vienna on Monday, four people were shot dead by a 20-year-old IS supporter.

- Then it is important that Sweden has increased preparedness to be able to handle special events.

There is a risk that you also inspire others through these acts and then the authorities have come to the conclusion that you take precautionary measures to ensure that we can act very quickly, says Minister of the Interior Mikael Damberg in SVT's Agenda.

Mikael Damberg also wants people to look at the environments where people are radicalized.

- Our Swedish constitution is not neutral, it is democratic.

If we do not stand up for freedom of expression and the equality we have in our country, then these forces must be counteracted and fought.

That is why I believe that one can not only look at the concrete terrorist threat, one must also look at the environments in which radicalization takes place.

No increased terrorist threat level

The Minister of the Interior does not want to comment on the rumors that have been circulating regarding a feared terrorist attack.

However, he believes that if the situation had been so threatening, the terrorist threat level would have been raised.

- Not that the authorities have gone up to level 4. We do not have an increased terrorist threat level against Sweden.

But if the authorities saw that there was an acute terrorist threat that was imminent, then they would certainly raise the terrorist threat level against Sweden and they have not done so.

At the same time, he believes that the increased police presence and the national special event are needed.

- It is not often that you have 3-4 attacks in a row in a short time, then there is increased vigilance and stronger preparedness.

Swedish police and security police also have a much stronger counter-terrorism preparedness today than just 5-6 years ago.

You have a greater ability to act today than before, you now use it in a slightly uncertain situation.