Sweden charges 19-year-old with planning school terror attack

Swedish prosecutors charged a 19-year-old man with planning a terror attack on a school. The plan targeted a high school in Halmstad in southern Sweden. Prosecutors said he intended to wound or kill people using a knife.

The suspect was arrested in April. Prosecutors charged him with belonging to a terrorist organisation. He also faces charges of public incitement to terrorism. Deputy chief prosecutor Henrik Olin said the man had direct terrorist intent. His four-day trial starts on November 19.

The Swedish Security Service Sapo investigated the case. Sapo said the man consumed violent propaganda online. He offered to swear allegiance to Islamic State. He also urged others to spread terrorist messages.

Sapo head of operations Fredrik Hallstrom warned about lone-actor threats. He said primary threats now come from individuals using simple weapons. He added that young people often encounter violent material on social media. This news was reported by The Local.