Cartoonist in hiding after arson attack

Stockholm: A Swedish artist who angered Muslims with a drawing of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) yesterday said he doesn't feel safe in his home at night, after a week of attacks against him.

Lars Vilks told AP he has started sleeping elsewhere since an attempted arson attack on Friday against his home in Nyhamnslage, southern Sweden. Earlier in the week, Vilks was attacked by a man as he gave a lecture at a university in central Sweden, and the following day his website appeared to have been targeted by hackers.

Vilks said he has decided to sleep elsewhere as a precaution, but doesn't think there will be another attack against him right now because of increased police patrols.

Dangerous

"During the day I don't think it is dangerous because I can keep watch over myself," Vilks said. "But I have to realise that I can't be there during the night." The artist has faced numerous threats over his 2007 sketch. Earlier this year, US investigators said Vilks was the target of an alleged murder plot involving Colleen LaRose, an American woman who dubbed herself "Jihad Jane", and who now faces life in prison. She has pleaded not guilty.

Swedish police arrested a 21-year-old man late on Saturday and a 19-year-old man yesterday on suspicion of the attempted arson attack. Earlier on Saturday, they had found bottles filled with gasoline and minor fire damage to Vilks' home. Several windows at the artist's house had also been smashed. Vilks was not home during the attack.

Police spokesman Joakim Ekstrand says the man was arrested at his home late Saturday on suspicion of attempted arson.

Ekstrand said yesterday that evidence at Vilks' house led police to the suspect, but wouldn't give more details.