Sweden Raises Security Around Artist Lars Vilks After Paris Attack

Stockholm: Swedish artist Lars Vilks, who stirred controversy in 2007 with published drawings of Prophet Mohammad, has had security around him tightened after Wednesday's attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

"Yes, they have strengthened protection around me. They have taken different measures," Vilks told Reuters in a telephone interview, without giving further details.

Vilks, under constant protection by the Swedish police since 2010, has received numerous death threats and in early 2014 an American woman who called herself Jihad Jane was sentenced to 10 years in prison for plotting to kill him.

Charlie Hebdo is known for courting controversy with satirical attacks on political and religious leaders and has published numerous cartoons satirizing Prophet Mohammad.