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Sweden to invest millions in fighting extremism

TT/Clara Guibourg
TT/Clara Guibourg - [email protected]
Sweden to invest millions in fighting extremism

Sweden is investing 62 million kronor ($9.6 million) in a national action plan to combat extremism, according to a government announcement.

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"I welcome that Sweden is now getting a national plan against violent extremism," Birgitta Ohlsson, minister for European Union affairs, said in a statement.

"The focal point will be on preventative measures," she said.

Ohlsson is in charge of government's action plan.

The purpose of the investment is to strengthen democracy, and "make our society resistant to violent extremism", according to Ohlsson.

She pointed out that several similar measures already have been put into action by municipalities and local authorities.

"But at the same time, it's clear that further measures and a national overview are necessary," she said.

The government's announcement was closely followed by a statement from prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, commenting on the ten years since the 9/11 terror attacks.

Reinfeldt still remembers where he was when he heard of the attacks.

"I was on the train, on the way home to Täby, when I got a call saying that something had happened in New York. And as if on a given signal, several other mobile phones began ringing simultaneously in the carriage."

Reinfeldt lamented the suffering and loss of human life on that day, and in following repercussions.

"Today, my thoughts go out to the victims and the relatives of all those who've been stricken throughout the years," he said.

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