Sweden: Anti-racist killed as neo-nazi violence escalates
01 September 1999
Thousands of people across Sweden protested at neo-nazi violence following the murder of anti-racist activist, Bjorn Soderberg, who was shot in the head as he answered the door to his flat in Sutra, Stockholm on October 12. Seven thousand people gathered in Stockholm to demonstrate against the violence despite a bomb blast in Gavle the day before; demonstrations were also held in 20 other towns. Three men, linked to a neo nazi group, have been charged with Soderberg's murder. His death is only the latest in a series of far right violent activities; in May two neo-nazis - former soldiers - were charged with shooting dead two policemen after a bank robbery and in June a journalist who investigated the far right was injured in a bomb explosion.
Sweden's security police (Sapo) also recorded a sharp rise in neo-nazi criminal activity in 1998. They recorded 940 crimes, almost double the figure for the previous year, including a number of assaults and threats. The increase is thought to reflect an increase in political activity in the run-up to last September's general election. Sapo estimate that there is a core group of 1,500 neo-nazi activists in Sweden divided between three main groups, the National Socialist Front (which is based in Karlskrona), the National Front (based in Smaland, southern Sweden) and the Aryan Brotherhood (a prison-based organisation). Sweden has become one of the main producers of racist "white power" music internationally.
In September police arrested 243 young protesters after a demonstration against fascism and racism on the southern Stockholm island of Sodermalm. Protesters said that the demonstration had been peaceful until the police intervened: "Everyone knows that neo-nazis and skinheads are assaulting and threatening people around [the area]. The point of the demonstration was that young people wanted to reclaim the streets from them", Elin Gauffin told the Swedish news agency TT. Those arrested were dispersed to five police stations and most of them were later released. Four people were detained and charged with inciting violence. Reuters 19.9.99, 26.10.99.