Two reporters from Frihetsnytt were stopped by police during the NATO meeting in Helsingborg despite being in a public place and filming outside the cordon. Nils Funcke, an expert on freedom of expression, has now spoken out about the incident - and sharply criticized the police action.
In connection with the NATO summit in Helsingborg on May 21-22, Frihetsnytts reporters were Tor-Björn Richthoff Änglasjö and Tyr Änglasjö on site to document the tax-funded event. However, it wasn't long before they were stopped by police, who then wrestled them to the ground and prevented them from recording in the area. The reason: they were from Freedom News.
Freedom News has published a movie from the incident showing how the police acted. Tor-Björn and Tyr did not break any laws, it was in a public place and there was no information that it was a protected object. The next day, when they were going to document a NATO critical demonstration at Gustaf Adolf's square several blocks away from the barriers, they were driven away under threatening forms without any justification.
Freedom News is now preparing a lawsuit against the police officers involved and therefore needs all the support we can get. If you want to contribute to the fundraising, you can do so at this link: https://buy.stripe.com/fZu8wObpV2czcPN0PG6sw01
”May photograph and film”
In view of the attack on press freedom that this has entailed, Freedom News contacted the freedom of expression expert Nils Funcke. He has not seen the film, but based on the description given, he comments on the incident in general terms. He points out, among other things, that the main rule in Sweden is clear when it comes to photography and filming in public places.
- Generally speaking, when a person is allowed to be present, he or she is also allowed to photograph or film or otherwise depict what is happening. This applies both if you work in an established medium or if you are a private person, says Funcke to Frihetsnytt.
He explains that exceptions only apply to specific situations, such as protected objects, blocking the exercise of public authority or offensive photography.
- That is, photographing a person in an environment where they are expected to be left alone, he explains what is meant by ”abusive photography” and takes the example of someone changing in their home and, The police then have the legal means to intervene.
Critical of identity checks
When the reporter describes how the police allegedly detained the journalists for identity checks without stating suspicion of a crime, Funcke replies that the police must have legal support for such measures.
- They have no support for it, he says, As a rule, you must have committed a crime.
He mentions that safety zones can give the police special powers, but that otherwise clear legal grounds are needed to intervene against people on the spot. According to Funke, the police must also inform if the location is a protected area.
- Yes, they are supposed to do that.
”Then the police should not intervene”
Towards the end of the interview, Funke summarizes his view of the events described:
- There are not those conditions that I have mentioned. In that case, the police should not intervene against any person regardless of where the person comes from or what the person represents.
The incident has raised questions about how freedom of the press was handled during the heavily guarded NATO meeting in Helsingborg, where large parts of the city center were cordoned off and police presence was massive.
Yes, we'll see if there is more than the usual
”We will review our procedures”
The Pride police are well protected by the stealth arch and the other traitors.
Nothing will happen about this as the police are protected by the stealthy Kristersson and the warmonger Pål.