Norwegian man Hans Lysglimt Johansen convicted for hate speech and fraud, facing seven months imprisonment

Hans Lysglimt Johansen has been convicted for hate speech, reckless behavior, and gross fraud. The verdict was delivered on Monday in Oslo District Court, in a trial that began in June. Johansen and his defense team will use the time until the appeal deadline in August to decide whether they will appeal the verdict.

Lysglimt Johansen has been sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment, of which 30 days are conditional. Additionally, he is fined 10,000 kroner.

Johansen’s defense argues that the statements for which he has been convicted are protected by freedom of speech. His conviction is for three cases of hate speech, targeted at Jews, Arabs, Muslims, and homosexuals. These statements were published on various platforms between 2017 and 2021.

According to the prosecution, he has referred to Jews as “child molesters” multiple times and has called Jews an inferior group. He also expressed the belief that Jews are behind a global conspiracy. The court noted that while the statements should be evaluated individually, it considers it aggravating that Johansen directed these at groups on platforms where he has many followers, and these statements have the potential to spread to many more.

Throughout the trial, Johansen has consistently denied guilt. He referred to the case as a “non-case,” arguing that it should never have been brought to court.