Threats to Sweden have increased after recent Koran burnings, the country's government said, adding that it would strengthen border and internal controls and give police wider authority to stop and search people as a result.
Sweden and Denmark have seen a string of protests in recent weeks, in which copies of the Koran were burned or otherwise damaged, prompting outrage in Muslim countries and demands that the Nordic governments put a stop to the burnings.
More Koran burnings took place yesterday and both countries said they were examining ways to legally limit such acts in a bid to de-escalate tensions.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the security situation in Sweden was complex, not least because of its delayed accession to NATO.
The government would temporarily ramp up internal security and border controls, giving police wider authority to stop and search people, he said.
He also urged people to use the freedom of speech responsibly and respectfully.
"In a free country like Sweden, you have a great deal of freedom. But with that great degree of freedom comes a great degree of responsibility," Mr Kristersson told a news conference.
"Everything that is legal is not appropriate. It can be awful but still lawful. We try to promote a respectful tone between countries and peoples."
Turkish woman wounded in attack at Sweden's consulate
A Turkish staff member at Sweden's honorary consulate in the western city of Izmir was shot and seriously wounded in front of the consulate building, TRT state broadcaster said.
Izmir's governor's office said in a statement a Turkish citizen registered to the eastern province of Agri has been apprehended.
The police are investigating the incident, it added.
The Swedish consul general will travel to Izmir tomorrow to get more information about the incident, the Swedish foreign ministry said.
The ministry said it was in close dialogue with the Consulate General in Istanbul and its staff in Turkey.
The Consulate General is in contact with the Honorary Consulate in Izmir and with local authorities, the foreign ministry added.
The ministry said it would not comment further "on the threat to the diplomatic service or what security measures are being taken, as this risks counteracting the purpose of the measures."
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc condemned the attack in post on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
He said a criminal investigation had been initiated to shed light on the incident.
Condemnation of Koran burnings
Yesterday, the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened in an extraordinary session to discuss the recent developments and strongly condemned the Koran burnings.
The organisation called upon member states to take appropriate action, whether political or economic, in countries where the Koran is being desecrated.
Mr Kristersson said sweeping changes to the Swedish freedom of speech laws were not on the table but the government was looking into changes that would allow police to stop Koran burnings in public if they were a threat to Sweden's security.
"We have completely different political systems (from some of Sweden's critics), completely different views on human rights, including freedom of speech," Mr Kristersson said.
"It is not the case that Sweden is adapting itself in the light of other countries' demands on Sweden. We are not."
