Sweden charges 3 over explosives planted at Israeli defense firm

Swedish prosecutors charge three men for their alleged involvement in planting explosives outside an Israeli military technology firm in Gothenburg, court documents obtained by AFP show.

Two insulated flasks packed with plastic explosives were found outside the offices of Elbit Systems, known for its unmanned aerial systems, in Sweden’s second-largest city on June 4.

The national bomb squad removed the objects and no damage or injuries were reported.

Two of the accused, a 17-year-old and a 24-year-old, were charged with “aggravated unlawful threat” and “attempted destruction causing public endangerment” for placing the explosives at the scene.

The third suspect, 29, is accused of storing the explosives in his home and transporting them to his two accomplices near the scene.

All three suspects have denied the charges.

The action was directed at “the company’s security guard, representatives and employees” and aimed to cause “serious fear for their and others’ personal and property safety,” prosecutor Johan Uden says in the charge sheet.

Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel and the subsequent war, there have been several incidents targeting Israeli interests in Sweden.

The Swedish intelligence agency Sapo in late May accused Iran of recruiting members of Swedish criminal gangs to commit “acts of violence” against Israeli and other interests in Sweden.