News Desk
STOCKHOLM: A Swedish court sentenced far-right activist Rasmus Paludan to four months in prison on Tuesday for inciting ethnic hatred at two inflammatory demonstrations in 2022, during which he publicly burned Qurans. Paludan, a Swedish-Danish provocateur known for anti-Islam stunts, triggered violent riots across Sweden that year while touring the country and setting fire to copies of the Muslim holy book.
In August, prosecutors charged Paludan with “agitation against an ethnic group” related to an April 2022 protest in Malmo, where he desecrated a Quran while making disparaging remarks about Muslims. He was also charged for a second incident in which he delivered derogatory comments targeting Arabs and Africans. The Malmo District Court ruled that Paludan’s rhetoric “expressed contempt for Muslims, among others,” and rejected claims that his actions were protected as free criticism of Islam or political speech.
“It is permissible to publicly criticize Islam and even Muslims, but the contempt for a group of people must not exceed the limits of relevant and responsible discourse,” stated Judge Nicklas Soderberg. He emphasized that Paludan’s actions were devoid of constructive discourse and intended solely to insult and demean Muslims.
