Sweden Exposes Russia's Disinformation Campaign on NATO and Koran Burnings

Sweden's Minister for Civil Defence has accused "Russia-backed actors" of conducting a disinformation campaign aimed at damaging Sweden's image as a NATO-candidate country by falsely implying its support for recent Koran burnings. The minister stated that Russia-backed actors are spreading incorrect statements about the Swedish state's involvement in the desecration of holy scriptures, with the intention of creating division and weakening Sweden's international standing. Sweden's Prime Minister clarified that while the state guarantees freedom of expression, it does not endorse any political messages behind such actions. The burning of the Koran has caused outrage among Muslims and prompted protests, leading to the storming and vandalism of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. Sweden's security service has warned that the country's security situation has worsened due to the controversy over freedom of speech, with Sweden being perceived as anti-Muslim in parts of the world.