Three Swedish police officers were injured during clashes with demonstrators who came to denounce the intention of a far-right group to burn a copy of the Holy Koran in the Swedish city of Linköping. Police cars were set on fire and public transport exposed to attacks.
The Swedish police had authorized the organization of a demonstration Thursday followingnoon, for the Danish far-right activist, Rasmus Baludan, and his party “Hardline Line”, known for its anti-Islam provocations.
At Råslätt in Jönköping, Stram of course burned Qurans during his protest. Party chairman Rasmus Paludan attempted to deliver a speech in the square, but was interrupted by church bells.
The far-right group was unable to reach the gathering place and the situation then deteriorated between the participants in the counter-protest and the police, which led to the outbreak of riots.
“The atmosphere was violent and targeted police attacks on the spot,” a police spokeswoman told national television. SVTexplaining that the atmosphere had calmed down following the departure of the security guards.
In one district, rockets were fired at cars, and in connection with the attack on the tram, a car was set on fire.
“We chose not to use a replacement bus because of the risk of stones being thrown,” Christer Ringman of Östgötatrafiken traffic management told SVT.
In a statement, the local police described the events as “violent riots”, announcing the injury of 3 of its members, and the arrest of two of the demonstrators.
Another far-right demonstration, led by Rasmus Paludan, was supposed to take place in the followingnoon in a town near Norrköping, but it might not be organized either.
“Unacceptable”, according to the Minister of Justice
Swedish Justice and Interior Minister Morgan Johansson wrote on Twitter that he condemned the violence. “No matter what one thinks of the message of right-wing extremist hatred that Paludan represents, it is unacceptable to respond with this serious violence,” he wrote. Furthermore, he adds that this is exactly the reaction that the “provocateur” wants to see.
However, the minister “urges all good forces to remain calm and not be provoked. The government is monitoring events on an ongoing basis. “, he says.
