Sweden’s Prosecution Authority has accused Iran’s intelligence service of hacking an SMS operator in 2023 to send messages inciting revenge against Quran burners. The aim was to create division in Swedish society by portraying the country as Islamophobic.
According to Sapo, a hacker group acting on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was responsible for the influence campaign. The investigation revealed a group called Anzu team was behind the operation, but bringing the suspects to justice is unlikely due to their foreign government backing.
Prisoner Swap
Sweden raised its threat level after protests including Quran burnings made the country a “prioritized target.” Tensions with Middle Eastern countries, particularly Iran, have been strained by events like the storming of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad.
In a recent prisoner swap, Iranian prisoner Hamid Noury was released in exchange for an EU diplomat and a Swedish national. Iran’s recruiting of Swedish criminal gang members for violence against Israeli interests has also been reported by Sapo.