Sweden: Security planning for Eurovision 2024 in Malmö intensified!
As you’ve read on one of our articles last week, based on the increased terrorist threat level, the Swedish Police Authority had decided to ban bags at major events in Sweden.
Consequently, Malmö is currently evaluating the current situation caused by the ongoing Middle-East conflict and is discussing the ways of making the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest as safe as possible.
Speaking to Sveriges Radio, Nils Norling, spokesperson for the police of Malmö mentioned:
“If we look at Malmö during the last month, we have seen a certain increase in hate crime. Daily we see manifestations, mostly pro-Palestinian. So we cannot exclude that people will try and carry out various manifestations.”
Up until now, the police of Malmö hasn’t identified any direct threats to the contest, but it goes without saying that the intelligence work will intensify as we are approaching to the contest.
Sveriges Radio also interviewed Karin Karlsson, who is the lead for organising the events of Malmö municipality. Karin reflected on one manifestation against the Israeli participation that was carried out back in 2013 and added:
“I think that we need to act preventively and keep in mind that more could happen than in 2013, and then follow the things the police tells us to do.”
Apart from the Eurovision Song Contest, the city of Malmö will host several events in public or outdoor spaces. But does this pose a threat according to Karlsson?
“We try to look at places where we are used to having good security and controls, so the places we want to use should feel safe.“
More safety specifications regarding the Eurovision Song Contest will be released within the following months.
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Malmö, Sweden in 7, 9 and 11th of May 2024, after the second win of Loreen in Liverpool, with her song “Tattoo”:
Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the next year’s Eurovision Song Contest!
Source: Sveriges Radio
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