Two Youths Charged in Planned ISIS-Linked Terror Attacks Targeting Stockholm Kulturfestival

Two young men, aged 18 and 17, have been charged by Swedish prosecutors for planning terrorist attacks linked to the Islamic State, targeting the Kulturfestivalen in Stockholm and other violent crimes spanning Sweden and Germany. The charges include preparation for terrorist acts, participation in a terrorist organization, attempted murder, and violations related to explosive materials.

The 18-year-old suspect, a Syrian citizen from Kristianstad, allegedly planned an attack at the Kulturfestival in August 2023 in Kungsträdgården with the intent to cause serious fear among non-IS-supporting Swedes. Prosecutors state that preparations began in August 2023 with attempts to acquire explosives in January 2024. He was arrested in Stockholm on February 11, 2024. Previously convicted for riot participation and sabotage against emergency services, he has a documented history of antisocial behavior and criminal offenses dating back to youth, according to probation authorities. He had expressed interest in Swedish military service but abandoned those plans post-conviction.

His 17-year-old accomplice, also a Syrian citizen from Malmö, has been charged with attempted murder and participation in a terrorist organization, showing extremist tendencies necessitating forced care under Swedish law. Both suspects are also accused of an attempted murder in Eppstein, Germany, on August 14, 2024.

Swedish Security Service (Säpo) apprehended the two suspects in February 2024 after their alleged recruitment into ISIS earlier that year. The younger accomplice had previously engaged with social services due to radicalization concerns. The 18-year-old was also involved in violent riots in Linköping in 2022.

The indictments reveal that the accused exploited bomb manuals and instructional videos on bomb-making, displaying a high level of preparation and commitment to violent extremist aims. Prosecutors from the National Security Unit emphasize the severity of the threats, highlighting that such attacks "could have seriously harmed Sweden." The charges filed today mark a crucial step in prosecuting attempted terrorism and safeguarding public events in Stockholm.

These proceedings underscore ongoing national security challenges linked to Islamist extremism and the concerted efforts by Swedish authorities to disrupt planned terrorist attacks while managing radicalized youth.