OSLO, Aug 4 (Reuters) – Danish police are tightening border controls following recent Koran burnings, which are affecting the country’s security, the Danish justice ministry said, following a similar move by Sweden in beginning of the week.
Anti-Islam activists in Denmark and Sweden have burned and damaged several copies of the holy book in recent months, sparking outrage across the Muslim world.
“Authorities have today concluded that there is a need to tighten controls on people entering Denmark, in order to respond to specific and current threats,” the Danish ministry said in a statement.
Stricter border controls will be in place until August 10.
“The recent Koran fires have, as police say, affected the security situation,” Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said in the statement.
The decision to tighten border controls follows a similar move by Sweden.
Both governments have condemned the burnings and said they are considering new laws to end them, but also face domestic opposition who believe the laws would undermine freedom of expression protected by constitutions of the two countries.
(Terje Solsvik report, French version Corentin Chapron, edited by Blandine Hénault)
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