Denmark faces increased risks from potential terrorist attacks due to the conflict in Israel and Gaza and recent burnings of the Koran in the Nordic country, according to the country’s national security and intelligence service (PET).
The likelihood of incidents remains at level 4 on a 5-point scale, indicating a “serious” threat, but risks “have intensified within the current level,” the agency said in its annual assessment report published on Thursday.
“The violations against the Koran and the conflict in the Middle East both have derived effects on the threat situation in Denmark,” Michael Hamann, head of the agency’s center for terrorism analysis, said in a statement, according to Bloomberg.
“We believe the terrorism threat against Denmark and Danish interests abroad will be intensified for at least the coming year,” he added.
Sweden raised its terrorism to the second highest level, saying it had thwarted attacks after the Koran burnings and other acts against Islam's holiest text that triggered threats from jihadists.
Denmark's parliament in December passed a law making it illegal to burn the Koran in public places, seeking to defuse tensions with Muslim countries.
Earlier in December 2023, Denmark’s police arrested three people on suspicion of preparing a terrorism attack, while a fourth was detained in the Netherlands.
The Times of Israel later said the suspects planned to carry out a terror attack on Jewish or Israeli targets.
Caption: Police officers work on the closure of Push
