In light of the Koran burnings carried out by anti-Islam activists in Denmark and Sweden, which have sparked outrage among Muslims, Britain has urged its citizens to exercise caution when travelling to Denmark, citing the potential for attacks.
Previous cautionary statements by both the British and U.S. governments also highlighted the risk of possible attacks in neighboring Sweden, prompting Sweden to elevate its terrorism alert level to the second highest tier on Thursday.
The British foreign ministry’s updated travel advisory stated, “There is a likelihood of terrorists attempting to execute attacks in Denmark. Targets may vary, potentially encompassing areas popular among foreigners.”
The advisory further noted that Danish authorities have effectively thwarted several planned attacks and made numerous arrests in connection to such threats.
As a result of the Koran burnings and other anti-Islam actions that have incited anger within the Muslim community and triggered threats from jihadists, Sweden has also confirmed its success in preventing attacks. In response, the Swedish government has heightened security measures at embassies and other diplomatic missions due to increased threats against Swedish interests abroad.
While both the Danish and Swedish governments have denounced the burnings and are contemplating legal adjustments to curtail such activities, critics within their respective countries argue that any regulatory changes should not infringe upon the constitutionally protected freedom of speech
