Extremely Serious Crimes Against Our Society: Sweden Police on Riots in the Country, 26 Arrested
New Delhi: The Swedish Police Chief on Monday described the recent unrest in Sweden with great seriousness. So far 26 people have been arrested after weekend clashes between police and protesters rallying against plans by a far-right group to burn copies of the Quran.
Anders Thornberg, the Swedish national police chief said, “These are extremely serious crimes against our society. Those involved have focused on harming the police. Attempts were made to kill police officers.”
The riots began on Thursday 14th April ahead of a planned demonstration by anti-Muslim Danish politician Rasmus Paludan and his party Stram Kurs (Hard Line), which was meant to include the burning of the Muslim holy book – the Quran.
The riots have continued to escalate over the weekend. Jonas Hysing, Commander-in-Chief of the Swedish police, said at the press conference that he sees the police as the target of the violence. “There is a lot to suggest that it was the police who were the target – rather than the organizer,” he said.
According to Jonas Hysing, 26 police officers have been injured, 20 police vehicles have been damaged or destroyed, and 14 civilians have been injured.
In all, about 200 people have been involved in the riots. According to police, those involved have links to criminal networks. “Criminals have profited from the situation to show violence toward society, without any link to the demonstrations,” national police chief Anders Thornberg said.
“There are too few of us. We have grown, but we have not grown at the same pace as the problems at the heart of society,” he said, asking for more resources for the police.
(Vinayak)
