Sweden’s domestic security agency, Säpo, accused Iran of leveraging established criminal networks within the country to target Israeli or Jewish interests. The allegations were made public by Daniel Stenling, head of Säpo’s counterespionage unit, at a news conference following a series of violent incidents earlier this year. These accusations align with claims by Israel’s national intelligence agency, Mossad, which has identified Iranian involvement in attacks on Israeli embassies in Sweden and Belgium.
Stenling outlined that Iran had been using criminal networks in Sweden to carry out violent acts against other states, groups, and individuals. Specifically, Iranian efforts have targeted Israeli interests and Iranian dissident groups. Since October 7, there has been an increase in such activities, with multiple incidents pointing to Iran’s orchestration through local gangs.
In January, the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm was temporarily sealed off after a “dangerous object” was found on the premises. Swedish media reported that the object was a hand grenade, which was safely destroyed by the authorities. Although no arrests were made, the incident marked a significant security breach. On May 17, gunshots were heard near the Israeli Embassy, leading to a cordoned-off area and heightened security measures, though no arrests followed.
The events prompted collaborative investigations between Israeli and European intelligence agencies. Their findings revealed the depth of Iranian influence on criminal activities targeting Israeli and Jewish institutions across Europe. investigations pointed to the involvement of the Foxtrot crime ring, led by Rawa Majid, known as “the Kurdish Fox.” According to Mossad, Majid had been recruited by Iranian agents after fleeing to Iran from Turkey in September of the previous year.
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billström announced that the Iranian chargé d’affaires in Stockholm would be summoned to address these allegations. Säpo confirmed that the terrorism threat level in Sweden remained at 4 out of 5, reflecting ongoing concerns about potential Iranian-sponsored attacks. The Swedish government has been grappling with rising gang violence, which has seen 55 people shot dead and 109 injured in 363 shootings in 2023 alone.
The Israeli ambassador to Sweden, Ziv Nevo Kulman, commended the local police for their swift action during the January incident, asserting Israel’s resilience against terror.
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