Swedish police apprehend three men near Israeli embassy

Swedish police said on Friday they have apprehended three men near the Israeli embassy in Stockholm on suspicion of preparing to commit violent crime, but said it was too early to say whether the diplomatic mission had been a target.

Swedish broadcaster TV4, citing unnamed sources, reported that the three men were suspected of planning to attack the embassy.

"We are unable to comment on the potential motive," police spokesperson Susanna Rinaldo told Reuters.

The arrests were made near the embassy, but not inside the compound itself, she said without elaborating.

The suspects will now be interrogated, Rinaldo said.

Swedish police last year stepped up security around Israeli and Jewish interests in the country following a shooting near Israel's embassy.