STOCKHOLM, Sweden—Hundreds gathered March 17 outside a courthouse here to demand the release of two Swedish citizens of Somali descent.

Arrested February 28, they are being held without charges under the Terrorist Act of 2003. The police claim they made financial contributions to a terrorist group. In March the police shut down seven bilingual Somali and Swedish day care centers, claiming the owner was also involved in financing “terrorist activity.” In face of protests, the centers have been reopened. But the owner is still imprisoned.

Many at the action pointed out that the only way to send money home to Somalia is through private financial networks. Some of these are now branded as linked to “terrorism.”

“It could be me next,” said a Somali taxi cab driver. “I also send money.”

—ANITA ÖSTLING