– Let me put it this way: As far as Norwegian law is concerned, it is likely that according to freedom of expression, burning a flag or sacred text is not an explicit violation of the law. But I steer clear of that. I view it as a hate crime whether it happens in Norway or in other countries, Storr said at today’s biannual press conference.
The statement raised a lot of criticism and questions, because hate crimes are part of the penal code. The burning of holy books and flags is not affected by the law today.
Tonight, Store Store to clarify the statement.
Let me be absolutely clear that the government and I protect freedom of expression. It’s totally basic. So I think, even if it were legal, burning the Qur’an is an abhorrent act, and I personally distance myself from it, Sture wrote in a text message to Dagbladet.
Storr maintains that he never intended to speak of what is or is not legal under criminal law.
– I see that the word hate crime has an important legal meaning, so I’m making that clear now. Regardless, I think it is very unfortunate that the process of Sweden’s accession to NATO has been rehearsed. They should have already been members, Storr writes.
Tension was high today in the Middle East after the burning of the Qur’an outside the mosque on Medborgarplatsen in Stockholm. The police approved the demonstration in advance.
Strong protests in Sweden
Several countries condemned the burning of the Qur’an. Earlier Thursday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he strongly condemned it, and Morocco recalled its ambassador from Sweden in protest.
The Swedish ambassadors to Jordan and the United Arab Emirates were called to the carpet. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria also condemned the burning of the Qur’an.
Dozens of demonstrators entered the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday after burning the Koran on Wednesday in Stockholm, NTB writes.
The demonstrators stayed at the embassy for about 15 minutes before the security forces arrived, according to Agence France-Presse. No one is hurt.
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