During the Easter weekend in Sweden, there were several riots attributed to far-right activist Rasmus Paludan’s Koran burnings. One of the incidents occurred in Rinkeby. The Solna district court has convicted four individuals for gross sabotage against blue light operations, and three others for sabotage against blue light operations, related to this outbreak of violence.
This is the first case in which individuals have been convicted of sabotage against blue light operations. Prior convictions regarding the Rinkeby riots dealt specifically with violent rioting. According to Anders Djurestad, the criminal classification constitutes an attack on police officers, who were on the scene during the disturbance, despite Paludan’s absence.
In addition to the convictions, police officers requested that the accused pay for damages, but the Solna district court rejected these requests. As Djurestad explains, it is often challenging for law enforcement officials to receive compensation for damages resulting from their line of work.
The incident in Rinkeby was one of several riots that took place during the Easter weekend in connection with the far-right Rasmus Paludan’s Koran burnings in various cities around Sweden. Four people who took part in the unrest in Rinkeby have now been convicted by the Solna district court of gross sabotage against blue light operations, and a further three for sabotage against blue light operations.
First judgment on sabotage against blue light operations
Previous sentences after the riot in Rinkeby have dealt with violent riot, while those who have now been sentenced by the Solna district court are sentenced for gross sabotage against blue light activities and sabotage against blue light activities.
– In this case, the person in question (Rasmus Paludan) was not left at the scene, but it was an attack against the police officers who were there, hence the criminal classification, says Anders Djurestad.
No damages
Police officers who were on the scene at the riot in Rinkeby last year requested that those who have now been sentenced should pay damages, but the Solna district court rejected all claims for damages.
– It is generally difficult to get compensation as a police officer, we have to tolerate a certain amount of exposure, says Anders Djurestad.