Increased border security in both Sweden and Denmark due to Quran burnings

to the rising protests caused by the burnings.

“Authorities have assessed that for a limited time period, it is necessary to intensify police efforts at Denmark’s borders for security reasons,” said Danish Justice Minister, Peter Hummelgaard.

“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,” Kristersson told a news outlet.

Threats to Sweden and Denmark have increased after recent Quran burnings. This made the Swedish government strengthen border controls and give police wider authority to stop and search people earlier this month.

Not long after, Denmark made a similar move, by temporarily tightening border security efforts due

The Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the security situation in Sweden is complex, not least because of its delayed accession to NATO. The government will therefor temporarily ramp up internal security and border controls, giving police wider authority to stop and search people, he said.

Both countries have recently vowed to explore legal policies of preventing the protests involving burning of the Quran. Nevertheless, they have upheld their laws regarding freedom of speech and assembly.

“Everything that is legal is not appropriate. It can be awful but still lawful. We try to promote a respectful tone between people and countries.”

Recently Denmark chose to lift the emergency border checks after the newest assessment by Danish intelligence was that “the current security situation in Denmark is not considered to require the maintenance of additional checks,” the government said.

In contrast, Sweden has currently raised the country’s terrorist threat level from “elevated” to “high”.