Oslo police review complaint against Progress Party adviser over racist remarks

Oslo police have confirmed receiving a formal complaint against Hårek Hansen, an adviser to Norway’s Progress Party (FrP), following his recorded remarks describing people of Pakistani origin as “minus variants,” Dagbladet reports.

Police will assess whether to launch an investigation into potential violations of Norway’s hate speech law, according to police prosecutor Karianne Worren. “We will evaluate the statement in its context and determine whether it meets the threshold for criminality as defined by the Supreme Court, balanced against freedom of expression,” Worren told the newspaper.

The complaint was filed by Aslam Ahsan, a veteran Labour Party politician and one of Norway’s first elected officials of Pakistani descent. Ahsan, who has represented the Norwegian-Pakistani community for decades, condemned Hansen’s comments as “completely baseless.”

In a covert recording published by TV 2, Hansen—who works for FrP MP Simen Velle—allegedly stated that Pakistanis “should not have children in Norway,” while praising “successful white people” for having more. FrP leader Sylvi Listhaug has since distanced herself from the remarks.

Legal expert John Christian Elden argued the statements may not be prosecutable, as they were made privately. “A racist remark is only criminal if made publicly or directly to those targeted,” Elden wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He noted that journalists present could have intervened, adding that prosecution might apply only if Hansen knew his comments would be published.

Police confirmed multiple tips about the case but have not yet reached a decision on further action.