Sweden says it's target of Russia-backed disinformation over NATO, Koran burnings

FILE PHOTO: Police stand guard near the Iraqi embassy ahead of a demonstration in Stockholm, Sweden July 20, 2023. REUTERS/Supantha Mukherjee//File Photo

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden is the target of a disinformation campaign by "Russia-backed actors" intended to hurt the image of the NATO-candidate country by implying it supported recent burnings of the Koran, its Minister for Civil Defence said on Wednesday.

Sweden's bid to join NATO after Russia's invasion of Ukraine has put it in the international spotlight, while a number of demonstrations at which protesters have burned copies of the Muslim holy book have angered Muslims around the world.