Sweden tightens its anti-terrorism laws

Sweden has said it will toughen laws against members of terrorist organizations.

Stockholm’s announcement comes months after a counter-terrorism deal with Turkey aimed at overcoming Ankara’s objections to Sweden joining NATO.

The new law, which the government hopes will come into effect in June, will give authorities broader powers to detain and prosecute people who financially or otherwise support terrorist organizations.

“We are talking about very extensive criminalization,” Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer told reporters.

Until now, it has been difficult to prosecute people unless their actions are linked to a specific terrorist attack, Strömmer said. The new law will cover all forms of participation.

The tougher laws became particularly relevant after the 2017 bombing in central Stockholm, when a driver ran over pedestrians on a busy shopping street, killing five people, the minister said.