In 2003, Swedish politicians Sven Otto Littorin and Christofer Fjellner faced a terrifying encounter with a supposed gunman at the Moderate Party headquarters. Now, 22 years later, the truth is revealed in a new book by Stefan Olafsson, who admits to being the 'gunman' with a fake pistol. The incident, which led to a police operation, is recounted as a surreal misunderstanding. Both Littorin and Fjellner express relief and forgiveness, highlighting Olafsson's transformation from a troubled past to a successful legal career.
Former Swedish Politicians Recall Shocking Encounter with 'Gunman' 22 Years Later
Former Swedish Politicians Recall Shocking Encounter with 'Gunman' 22 Years Later
Top members of the Moderate Party, Sven Otto Littorin and Christofer Fjellner, believed they were threatened by a gunman at the party's headquarters in 2003. Now, the story takes an unexpected turn in the book "The Homeless Man Who Became a Lawyer."
"Well, I'll be damned," says Littorin.
In January 2003, Aftonbladet reported how "Moderate leaders had to flee from a gunman." The then-party secretary Sven Otto Littorin and the chairman of the Moderate Youth League, Christofer Fjellner, had to barricade themselves while the police's task force searched the Moderate Party's headquarters in Gamla stan.
Littorin had alerted the police after confronting a man in the stairwell, who responded by pulling out a gun. The subway was shut down, and the entire block was isolated in the search for the man, who was never found.
Now, 22 years later, lawyer Stefan Olafsson reveals that he was the gunman. The incident is depicted in the book "The Homeless Man Who Became a Lawyer," which Olafsson co-wrote with journalist Gustav Gelin.
Intended to Use Amphetamines
Stefan Olafsson recounts how he had entered the grand stairwell to use amphetamines when a man shouted at him to leave. The condescending tone made Olafsson "snap," and he responded by pulling out a fake gun from his bag, which he had bought to fend off a "crazy Finnish dealer."
The man had fled the entrance with terror in his eyes. Only when Olafsson read about the drama in the newspaper the next day did he realize it was Sven Otto Littorin. He describes the whole situation as "completely surreal."
"In hindsight, it was understandable that the police took the situation seriously and acted as they did. Just over six months later, Foreign Minister Anna Lindh would be murdered by a knife-wielding man while shopping at NK. Nothing more came of the fake gun incident, and the suspicion of illegal threats is probably time-barred now. I hope Littorin and Fjellner can forgive me, now that over twenty years have passed," Olafsson writes in the book.
Littorin: "Of Course I Was Scared"
When Expressen reaches Sven Otto Littorin, it is the first time he hears about the book and Stefan Olafsson's confession. He remembers the incident as unsettling.
"It was late, and I was almost alone at the office. We had had break-ins in the building before, and I thought I had caught someone in the act," says Littorin.
He disagrees with the notion that he expressed himself condescendingly, but he was firm.
"I probably shouted and said he couldn't be there. In the midst of it all, he pulled out something that looked like a gun. We neither had drugs nor weapons in Skänninge where I grew up, so of course, I was scared."
The police searched the premises and "frisked" a man matching the description—a man in his 30s wearing jeans and a parka—but it turned out to be the Moderate Party's then-press secretary Mårten Wennberg.
"We've had a laugh about that afterward," says Littorin.
Fjellner: "A Traumatic Situation"
Sven Otto Littorin is amused that the incident has now received an unexpected resolution. He has no problem forgiving Stefan Olafsson, although he emphasizes that shootings and threats against politicians should be taken seriously. The former minister is especially pleased that Olafsson managed to change his path.
"I'm just happy for his sake that he has turned to something better."
Christofer Fjellner, now an opposition councilor in Stockholm, also praises Stefan Olafsson's life journey.
"It was obviously a traumatic situation back then. But I'm glad the author has straightened out his life and escaped the life of a drug addict. He asks for my forgiveness in the book, and I forgive him. I hope more people can be inspired by his journey and find the strength to break free from destructive and dangerous life patterns to create a better life," says Fjellner in a comment.