Swedish authorities have uncovered a cyber campaign orchestrated by Iran aimed at punishing Quran burners.

The Nordic nation upped its terror alert in 2023 after a spate of Quran burnings swept the country. In one instance, an audience of about 200 reportedly looked on as a Swedish protester tore up a Quran and dragged it under his feet before stuffing it with pork and setting it on fire. His counterpart in the meantime used an amplifier to launch into a hate-fueled rage against Arabs, according to Iran International.

“The security police can establish that a cyber group acted on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to carry out an influence campaign,” the Swedish Security Service stated on Tuesday. “The purpose was, among other things, to paint the image of Sweden as an Islamophobic country and create division in society.”

However, despite identifying the hackers involved, Swedish authorities will not proceed with pressing charges, citing the impracticality of prosecution or extradition.

At the time, the Quran burnings sparked widespread protests across the Arab world, including a large demonstration outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. Iran’s foreign ministry summoned Sweden’s ambassador in Tehran, while other Muslim-majority countries like Morocco and Turkey also expressed their disapproval.

The United States, which last year named Iran as the world’s number one state sponsor of terror, also weighed in on the matter. The State Department’s deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel, noted that while burning religious texts might be legal, it is “disrespectful and hurtful” and “not necessarily appropriate.”