Sweden’s parliament today passed a new law banning activities associated with extremist groups. The tightening of terrorism laws in the Scandinavian country was a key requirement for Turkey to agree to Sweden joining NATO.
The new law criminalizes “participation in a terrorist organization” and will come into force on June 1st. It was approved by 268 votes in favor in the 349-member Swedish Parliament.
At the presentation of the law in February, Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said that the proposal represents a “significant expansion of the scope compared to the current legislation”. For example, the handling of equipment, the organization of meeting places, cooking and the Provision of transport for terrorist organizations is a criminal offence.
Turkey has accused the Scandinavian country of being a safe haven for “terrorists,” particularly members of the banned PKK Labor Party. Ankara is therefore blocking Sweden’s efforts to join NATO. She calls on Sweden to take a harder line on Kurdish activists whom she considers “terrorists”.
