From within the vaccine-critical and conspiratorial organization Frihetsrølsen, documentary filmmaker Kalle Ström testifies to dual feelings.

He says that on the one hand he was met by loving and inviting people with a different approach to life.

On the other hand, he saw a political movement with sometimes unpleasant language, its own security force and talk of revolution.  

- It was a very divided feeling.

The group itself was harmless and inviting, but the language used by the leaders made me think: 'Where will this end?', says Kalle Ström.  

He tells us that a common belief within the Freedom Movement was the conspiratorial belief that we humans must free ourselves from a hidden power elite that controls and manipulates society.

But for many there were also strong elements of spirituality and the desire to live in a more natural way.

Violent extremists at demonstrations 

The Expo Foundation examines xenophobia and right-wing extremism in Sweden.

They could see that the boundaries between the Freedom Movement and right-wing extremist environments blurred at many of the corona demonstrations during the pandemic.   

Säpo also warned that violent right-wing extremists sought corona demonstrations.  

The Freedom Movement itself claimed that the main message of the demonstrations was to abolish vaccination certificates – not to promote any political ideology.

That they, in cooperation with the police, wanted to counteract violence. 

Conspiracy circles live on 

Today, the vaccine resistance is quieter and the Freedom Movement is disbanded.

But Daniel Poohl, CEO of the Expo foundation, says that the conspiracy environment in Sweden is very much alive. 

- Many opened their eyes to this during the pandemic and were "saved" in some sense.

It's not something you leave lightly just because the pandemic is over.

Even if the Freedom Movement is disbanded, the whole environment is deeply problematic because it tears down trust in a democratic society and spreads ideas that despise knowledge.  

Watch the entire documentary Rörelsen on SVT Play, or Tuesday 21/2 at 21:00 on SVT1.