Three convicted over harassment of Swedish minister

Stockholm District Court on Monday convicted three of four defendants accused of harassing Sweden’s civil defence minister, Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M), fining them day-fines for the offence.

The incident occurred in September 2025 in Gamla stan, Stockholm, when several loud pro-Palestinian demonstrators followed Bohlin, who filmed the encounter and posted it on social media. In the video, activists are heard shouting slogans such as “you have blood on your hands” as they pursued the minister, who was returning home from a parliamentary meeting.

All four defendants denied the charges. Their defence argued the actions should be viewed as a constitutionally protected political expression linked to an earlier demonstration at Mynttorget the same day, rather than a personal attack on Bohlin.

The court ruled that while criticism and provocative slogans are permissible, the harassment stemmed from the group’s persistent close pursuit, filming, and loud shouting, which left the minister feeling trapped and unsafe. A fourth defendant was acquitted for lacking intent, as they had only documented the event by filming.

Linus Gardell, defence lawyer for one of those convicted, told SVT the verdict was disappointing and would be appealed. He maintained his client’s actions were a brief, spontaneous protest tied to a political meeting, aimed at highlighting government responsibility for alleged Israeli war crimes—not at violating Bohlin’s personal peace.