Explosions rock Israeli embassy in Hellerup as three Swedish nationals arrested

Two explosions occurred near the Israeli embassy in Hellerup during the early hours of Wednesday. Police arrested three Swedish nationals in connection with the incident, believed to involve hand grenades. Two of the suspects are set to appear in preliminary hearings later today, while one has been released.

This incident is not the first involving hand grenades in Denmark. Just two weeks ago, a Swedish teenager placed a grenade at the entrance of a jewelry store in Valby; it detonated without causing injuries. In August, police intercepted a Swedish man with two hand grenades in his car, which were reportedly intended for detonation in the Copenhagen area. Earlier that month, a hand grenade exploded in a kiosk in Østerbro, with two Swedish citizens charged in relation to that blast.

Law enforcement is continuing to investigate whether the embassy was the intended target. Experts express concern about the dangers posed by hand grenades, which, when detonated, can produce hundreds of dangerous fragments that travel at high speeds, increasing the risk to civilians compared to firearms.

The use of hand grenades among criminal gangs has been characterized as a method of signaling rather than directly causing harm. The explosions garner significant media attention, amplifying the gangs’ messages. The availability of such explosives has reportedly increased due to Sweden’s historical production of weapons and explosives, raising the level of violence among criminal organizations.

At 11 a.m., the two arrested suspects, aged 16 to 19, will appear in court, while the third individual has been released. The investigation into the motive behind the attacks continues. Prosecutors plan to request a closed hearing for the preliminary proceedings.