Rasmus Paludan has been the subject of a legal process in Turkey ever since he burned a Koran outside the Turkish embassy. According to Michael Sahlin, the latest Koran revelations have given Turkey new energy to demand legal consequences.
– The fact that you are reacting right now naturally has to do with the latest wave of anti-Swedishness. It’s a heated climate, it’s heated discussions, and it gives Turkey an opportunity to show leadership, says Michael Sahlin.
According to him, the arrest warrant is not only about putting pressure on Sweden, but also about Turkey wanting to establish itself as the leader of the Muslim world.
– It is an ambition that Erdogan and others have expressed many times regarding Turkey’s role in the Muslim world. Being a leading advocate. So it is not surprising that they are taking this step.
“No opportunity to do politics”
The agreement between Sweden and Turkey that was negotiated in Madrid and renewed at the NATO summit in Vilnius does not mention Koran burnings. Despite that, Erdogan has said several times during the spring that Swedish NATO membership is out of the question as long as the Koran burnings are allowed. But that does not mean that Erdogan can take back the NATO yes he gave in June.
– It will take a lot for Turkey to suddenly turn the corner on that issue. It would be a heavy burden for Turkey’s relationship with the united NATO.
The Koran burnings thus affect the NATO process, but Michael Sahlin believes it is unlikely that Sweden’s government would try to appease Turkey by extraditing Paludan.
– I think it is difficult to handle this other than in strict legal order. There is no way to make politics out of it.
Unlikely for him to be deported
Michael Sahlin believes that it is extremely unlikely that Sweden or Denmark would extradite Paludan.
– I don’t think it’s possible no matter how much pressure we are put under, he says.