Jewish advocates voiced frustration at the judge’s ruling.
Gothenburg, December 12 – A magistrate in this Scandinavian city has ruled that the perpetrators of two Molotov cocktail attacks against Jewish houses of worship in the last three days may not be prosecuted under criminal law, as they were exercising their legal right to freedom of expression.
Judge Lars Ferwerds ordered fourteen men detained Saturday and Monday for the firebomb attack be released immediately and the charges against them dropped this morning, and criticized the police for infringing on the men’s rights. The group had participated in assaults on synagogues to protest US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The attack forced dozens of Jews inside one of the the buildings to seek shelter in the basement as they awaited rescue.
“Shame on the police for limiting freedom of expression,” pronounced the judge. “European civilization has advanced to the point where vehement disagreement is now treated as a legitimate position, not to be repressed.”
Lawyers for the defendants praised the judge’s decision. “It has long been recognized that Muslim anger may not be restrained by law enforcement,” stated a pleased Dimi Svensen, who represents four of those arrested. “This is especially the case when the anger is directed merely at Jews. The Court was correct in admonishing the police that the antisemitism is even more venerable and sacrosanct than all other notions in European legal tradition.”
A representative of the police department told reporters the organization would study the ruling. “We might appeal,” indicated Deputy Commissioner Greta Gudgrief. “In our assessment the Court may have erred in the scope if its sweeping definition of freedom of expression. We believe two or three firebombs at a synagogue remain well within the parameters of protected speech, but once you move into higher numbers, the principle might not obtain to the same degree. I know these are only Jewish lives at stake, and those do not count as much as others, but this point of law must be clarified. Not for the sake of the Jews involved, but for the sake of legal clarity. Otherwise, police will remain confused as to when arrests are warranted.”
Jewish advocates voiced frustration at the judge’s ruling. “Imagine what would happen if a Jew firebombed a mosque,” argued Yoram Schlemiel. “This is an intolerable miscarriage of justice. We will organize protests against it.” Upon completing his sentence, Schlemiel was tackled by eight policemen and arrested for anti-Muslim incitement and endangering the peace.
Please support our work through Patreon.
It’s early and I am still waking up. Is this for real? Or is it a wry, but still poor taste send-up?
We won’t impinge on your freedom of thought.