After the Russia-Ukraine war, Finland and Sweden started the application process to be included in NATO with a decision that had repercussions all over the world. Turkey stated that it would approve membership under certain conditions, especially due to the support given to terrorism in Sweden. In the past days, when the process continued, in the capital Stockholm, supporters of terrorism staged an ugly demonstration targeting President Erdoğan, hung a model likened to Erdoğan from its feet and shared scandalous messages on social media. In his statement on the incident, Erdogan warned Sweden and said, “If they don’t seize this situation, it may strain our relations with them even more.” However, the Swedish judiciary decided that this scandal was not an “illegal crime”. Commenting on the incident as “a dangerous situation for Sweden’s security”, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed that he thinks there is no change in the negotiations with Turkey on NATO membership.
“NO ILLEGAL CRIMES”
Aftonbladet newspaper, one of the Swedish press, shared the court decision regarding the attack in Stockholm. In the news, which included the information that the first decision was made on the subject, it was stated that “an illegal crime was not committed”.
THE PROSECUTOR ANNOUNCED THE JUSTIFICATION OF THE DECISION
Speaking to the newspaper, Swedish prosecutor Lucas Eriksson said that it was officially decided that the incident would not be punished according to Swedish law:
“I took this as a defamation case, but I don’t think it constitutes defamation. That’s why I decided not to initiate a preliminary investigation.”
While wondering what the effects of this remarkable decision from Sweden would be, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also made statements on the subject.
SWEDEN PRIME MINISTER: WE ARE STILL IN A GOOD POINT
Expressing his opinion that they are still at a good point in the negotiations with Turkey on NATO membership, Kristersson used the following expressions:
“I don’t think the basic points of the negotiations have changed. Sweden and Finland are fulfilling the promises made in the agreement with Turkey in Madrid.”
“DANGEROUS TO OUR SAFETY” MESSAGE FROM SWEDEN
In his first statement on the incident, Kristersson said, “I can say that this is a sabotage against Sweden’s application for NATO membership. It is a dangerous situation for Sweden’s security.”
President Erdogan, on the other hand, had given the message yesterday, “If they do not take a stand against this situation in Sweden, it may strain our relations with Sweden even more”.