Sweden's 'Bearded Villains' Spark Fear as Group Is Mistaken for ISIS Cell

By Marvie Basilan, Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, October 14, 2015

The "Bearded Villains" are a group of "elite bearded men" who are "dedicated to the betterment of mankind through fraternity Charity and Kindness," but the Swedish chapter has suddenly become a hit worldwide after a familiar flag and facial hair got the members mistaken for ISIS forces hiding behind the hair.

According to CNN, the Swedish group sparked fear among people after images of their photo shoot in a ruined castle were reported by a "concerned motorist" who thought their meeting was an ISIS cell.

One of the member's posts on social media and local news reports confirmed that the group of bearded men was mistaken for Islamic State movements, especially since the black and white flag featured in their images was similar to that of the terror group's famed flag.

What was supposed to be the fraternity's time to honor their legacy became a moment of confusion as authorities raided the Braehus Castle in Granna where the photo shoot was taking place.

Local police later allowed the "30 or so" men who were "hugging and laughing," as accounted by member Andreas Fransson on Facebook, to continue their photo shoot. The authorities also cleared Swedish air from fear of an ISIS movement being organized in their territory after it was confirmed that the men were not terrorists.

Fransson also said in his post that the group "had a good laugh with the cops" as the police immediately recognized that they weren't extremists but just a group of bearded men having fun in the name of brotherhood.

The "Bearded Villains" member admitted that they were disappointed after learning from the authorities that they were mistaken as terrorists but he also said they did have fun.

According to the fraternity's website, the group was founded in Los Angeles, California in 2014 but has now branched out in Germany, Canada, Greece, Netherlands, Australia, Mexico, some states in the United States, and others in the United Kingdom, including those in Sweden.