Salwan Najem is convicted of incitement against people.
It is a dangerous judgment for freedom of speech, says journalist Janne Josefsson.
– rThe family of being able to do it is what I am proud that we had in Sweden, he says.
Salwan Najem and Salwan Momika fired Korans around Stockholm in 2023. The judgment, which would have fallen last week, was postponed after Momika was shot to death the day before.
On Monday afternoon, it was clear that Najem is being convicted of incitement against people in four cases. The penalty became conditional judgment and daily fines.
Although the motive was to criticize Islam, the actions have “a clear margin exceeded what is a factual debate and criticism,” the court says.
– There is a great deal of room to be critical of a religion in a factual and valid debate within the framework of freedom of expression. At the same time, commenting on religion does not give a free pass to do or say anything without risking the group that has that belief, says the chairman in the case, says lawyer Göran Lundahl.
“Dangerous judgment – hope it does not stand”
The verdict surprises journalist Janne Josefsson.
– From a Sweden where the police have protected the burning of the Qur’an, they will now, if it happens again, be arrested and risk prison, says Josefsson.
He points out that he is not behind Koran burning.
– But the right to do it is what I am proud that we had in Sweden. Now if this judgment stands, then it is completely over.
– I think it’s a dangerous judgment, I hope it doesn’t stand.
Expert: Combination of what is said and made
Johanna Björkman, who is a legal expert, believes that what was noticed was the messages that came verbally.
– That’s what has been offended in the world. It is a combination of what is said and done.
Björkman believes the court has found it difficult to relate to it.
– Not to think about what has happened outside the walls of the court, which is then the reaction abroad. Because it should have no salvage on this goal.
She also believes that this judgment will have an impact in the future.
– You now have suggestions on how to change the order law, that it should be difficult to get demonstration and meeting opportunities for just such types of cases.