In July, the Swedish embassy in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, was stormed. That after the recurring Koran burnings in Sweden. Several demonstrations followed.
– They burned a large banner depicting a pig painted in the colors of the Swedish flag, says Gilda Hamidi-Nia.
“Could not guarantee our safety”
In that situation, SVT’s team was sent to the scene. They met the police and military who were in full force in the city. Gilda Hamidi-Nia and the photographer were asked not to speak Swedish.
– We spoke English to each other.
She says that it is usually an advantage to be Swedish.
– Now it was the opposite. Even to the point where the police became nervous about our mere existence.
She continues:
– When he learned that we were Swedish, he became noticeably afraid that he could not guarantee our safety.
Had to cancel taxi journey
Samir Abu Eid, Middle East correspondent, also says that he too has been in situations where people have been upset when he told them that he is Swedish. After the Koran burning outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm, he was in southern Turkey.
– We met a man, he was very upset and actually accused us.
Tomas Thorén, Turkey correspondent, recognizes the anger towards Sweden. He says that there has been an uproar in the Turkish media.
– But in the vast majority of cases, I think that those I have met have been able to distinguish their anger towards Sweden and have not directed it at me.
On one occasion, however, a taxi driver became upset.
– In the end, I actually had to cancel the taxi journey because it became so incredibly aggressive.