Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell has reacted strongly to activists who harassed Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin. Many of these activists, lacking Swedish citizenship and with criminal records, could face deportation under new legislation targeting misconduct. Forssell emphasizes the need for stricter laws to protect Swedish democracy from those who threaten it.
Johan Forssell Condemns Activists After Bohlin Harassment: Deportation for Misconduct
Johan Forssell Condemns Activists After Bohlin Harassment: Deportation for Misconduct
Several activists who harassed Carl-Oskar Bohlin have previous criminal convictions and lack Swedish citizenship. In the future, similar incidents will be classified as misconduct and could lead to deportation, according to Migration Minister Johan Forssell.
Among those who shouted at the Minister for Civil Defense, Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M), were several individuals with criminal records and without Swedish citizenship. This has prompted a reaction from his ministerial colleague, Johan Forssell.
– Demonstrating for Palestine is acceptable. However, these individuals glorify terror, harass elected officials, and threaten our security. They should not be in Sweden, says Johan Forssell (M).
An investigation by Expressen reveals that members of the association organizing the public gathering have repeatedly praised groups designated as terrorist organizations.
Not an Isolated Incident
Like several other politicians, Forssell views this as an attack on Swedish democracy.
– People can have different opinions on issues, but harassing a minister in this manner is an attack on Sweden and our democracy. They harass a minister to silence him.
He sees this as a recurring problem within certain parts of the Palestinian movement.
– This is not about peaceful demonstrators for Palestine. It is about a small group of hardline individuals harassing elected officials.
The activists who followed the minister claim it was a "peaceful demonstration" and that describing it as threatening is not only a lie but "a way to incite hatred, racism, and oppression."
Forssell: Example of Misconduct
According to experts, the incident against the minister falls within the scope of freedom of expression. This is why legislation on misconduct is necessary, argues Johan Forssell.
The legislation aims to make it easier to deport individuals without Swedish citizenship who do not behave appropriately, even if they do not commit crimes.
– It's not just about not committing crimes, but also about simply behaving properly. For example, glorifying a terrorist organization is a clear example of behavior that can lead to deportation.
Forssell also believes that the threshold for deportation is currently too high, and the government is preparing a legislative proposal that could increase deportations sixfold.
– Individuals who have committed serious crimes are still not deported. The threshold for deportation is far too high. This is what we are now changing.