Sweden has handed down its first conviction under updated legislation concerning participation in terrorist organizations. A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to prison for supporting the Islamic State.
According to SVT, this is the first case under the law, which came into effect in 2023. The defendant, who was arrested at an airport in the summer of 2024, was found guilty of engaging in terrorist activities, financing an extremist group, and traveling for related purposes. The court sentenced him to 3 years and 3 months in prison.
The charges covered five incidents linked to the Islamic State, and the man was found guilty on all counts. The court noted that the investigation provided a comprehensive picture of the events.
The updated law, which took effect on July 1, 2023, criminalizes activities that strengthen, promote, or support terrorist organizations. This includes providing equipment, offering meeting spaces, assisting with accommodation, and facilitating transportation.
Earlier this week, an 18-year-old man was arrested in Sweden on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack with Islamist motives.
