Paludan: Sweden sentences activist over 2022 Koran burning

A Swedish court on Tuesday has sentenced a Swedish-Danish right-wing activist, Rasmus Paludan, to four months in jail for inciting ethnic hatred in the 2022 protests that included the burning of Korans.

According to the Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), the ruling comes after the activist was found guilty of desecrating and burning the Koran during two protests in 2022.

According to reports, Paludan sparked widespread rioting in Sweden in 2022 during his nationwide tour, where he publicly burned copies of the Koran.

Earlier in August, the Danish-Swedish politician was charged with “agitation against an ethnic group” during a protest in Malmo, Sweden, in April 2022.

“Rasmus Paludan during the protest desecrated and burned a copy of the Quran, while also making derogatory remarks about Muslims.”

He was also charged with an additional count of “agitation against an ethnic group” due to derogatory comments made about Arabs and Africans.

“The charge stems from another incident, exacerbating his existing legal issues related to hate speech and racism.”

“The Malmö district court has delivered a verdict regarding Paludan’s actions, stating that he demonstrated contempt for Muslims and other groups during public gatherings,” Guardian reported.

The court emphasized that Paludan’s actions cannot be justified as criticism of Islam or political campaigning.

“Judge Nicklas Söderberg emphasized that public criticism of Islam and Muslims is permissible, provided it remains within the bounds of pertinent and responsible discourse.”

“Expressing contempt for a group of people is unacceptable and exceeds boundaries,” he stated.

“In these cases, the statements did not contribute to any meaningful exchange of ideas. Rather, they were intended to denigrate and insult Muslims, Söderberg stated.”.

The court found Paludan guilty and sentenced him to a four-month imprisonment.

Rasmus Paludan stand

Paludan has denied the charges brought against him, asserting that his protests were a legitimate aspect of his campaigning efforts for his political party, Stram Kurs (Hard Line).

He further claims that his statements were merely criticism of Islam, rather than hateful statements.

Rasmus Paludan announced his intention to appeal the verdict, as reported to news agency TT on Tuesday.

The leader of Denmark’s far-right Stram Kurs party, sparked international outrage in January 2023 by burning a Quran outside Turkey’s embassy in Stockholm, further fueling controversy following his 2022 protest tour in Sweden.

The Quran burning incident by Rasmus Paludan significantly strained relations between Sweden and Turkey, particularly during a critical period when Turkey was blocking Sweden’s NATO membership bid.

Tensions between Sweden and Middle Eastern countries escalated in summer 2023 due to a series of protests organized by Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee, which included desecrations of the Quran.

Also, Salwan Momika and co-protester Salwan Najem faced charges of inciting ethnic hatred in August, with a trial slated for January.

The Swedish government condemned the Quran desecrations while emphasizing the country’s constitutional protections for freedom of speech and assembly.

Know about Sweden

Sweden is a fascinating country with a rich history and stunning landscapes, located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden shares borders with Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east.

Geography and Climate

Sweden’s diverse geography spans from mountains to forests and coastal regions, with its highest mountain being Kebnekaise, standing tall at 2,099 meters.

The country’s climate varies greatly due to its length, ranging from 55°N to 69°N latitude.

History and Government

Sweden has a 1,000-year history as a sovereign state, with its name derived from the Svear people mentioned by Roman author Tacitus in 98 CE.

Today, Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, with King Carl XVI Gustaf as its head of state and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson as its head of government.

Economy and Culture

Sweden boasts a highly developed post-industrial society and advanced welfare state, with a strong focus on social equality and human development.

The country joined the European Union in 1995 and NATO in 2024 ¹. Its capital, Stockholm, is home to nearly a million people, and the country has a total population of around 10.6 million.

Interesting Facts

Sweden has over 95,700 lakes larger than 100m x 100m ² and has 30 national parks.

Sweden’s biggest export goods include vehicles, machines, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. The Swedish currency is the krona (SEK).

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