Suspected IS member claims asylum in Sweden

The 46-year-old Bosnian, described by Swedish media as “an Islamic State jihadist”, arrived in the country on Monday with his four children.

The Sydsvenskan newspaper, which broke the story, said he had been flagged as a suspect in the Schengen Information System (SIS) -- Europe’s system for sharing national security data -- at France’s request.

He had flown into Malmo airport in southern Sweden from the Bosnian city of Tuzla carrying a recently-issued passport in his own name. Noticing he seemed nervous as he passed through customs, border officials questioned him and confirmed his identity.

The man then demanded asylum and, despite being a suspected jihadist, was transferred to an immigration detention centre as Sweden considers the Geneva Convention on refugees to take precedence over police matters.

“Any individual is entitled to do this,” Migration Office spokesman Fredrik Bengtsson told AFP. “This does not prejudge the decision that will be taken after his case is examined.” 

Police criticised the decision to hand the man over to immigration officials, saying he should have been deported.

“As soon as these people play their wildcard and say ‘Asylum!’, the gates of paradise open for them,” Sydsvenskan quoted border police chief Leif Fransson as saying. “Another Schengen country, France, has already assessed him as dangerous and decided he should be banned (from Schengen member states). Sweden cannot serve as an entry gate,” he added.