Barely one week after the terror attack in Oslo last year, a loving couple in their late 20s experienced harassment on the open street in Bodø. – I understand that I have said a lot of stupid things. That’s what the university lecturer who has been prosecuted for two breaches of the provision on hate speech says. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and the reason was that he did not remember the events. – I was drunk and angry, he says. In his explanation, the university lecturer says that painting a car and repairing a lawnmower led to personal stress. This caused him to drink half a bottle of alcohol that night. – I have felt a lot of shame and regret and self-loathing afterwards. The trial is held in the Salten and Lofoten District Court. Don’t remember what he said On a sunny Friday in July, Hroar-William Wiik Adelsten and Kjetil Malm Hamlandsø were at the night club Gatsby in Bodø, together with a friend. The evening had started well, but gradually became unpleasant. An adult, drunk man approached them and asked the following: – Are you all gay? The video, which was taken by others who were also guests at the Gatsby restaurant and nightclub, was quickly shared on social media. According to Adelsten, they experienced the man as both aggressive and drunk. When they asked what it meant if they were gay, he answered according to them: – If it were up to me, you would have been shot. The man, who has held a teaching position at Nord University in Bodø, has repeatedly apologized for the incident and said that what he did was reprehensible. Nord University confirms to Khrono that the man is still employed at the university, but that he is not in a teaching position. Defense attorney Finn Ove Smith tells news that the accused man remembers little of the incident himself. – My client will not dispute that he has said what is in the indictment, or what others explain. He doesn’t have a great memory of what was actually said. Also indicted for expressions of a racist nature The man is also indicted for making hateful expressions of a racist nature towards another man the same evening. It happened at another restaurant in the city centre. In the trial, an audio clip was played from the police in which the defendant says that he hates Muslims and that “all Muslims should go back to where they came from”. In the footage, he is clearly drunk, and goes on to say that “I don’t like that Norway is taking in a lot of immigrants”. His defense attorney says that the client does not consider himself to be either racist or homophobic. He is also charged with not complying with orders from the police after that incident. – It is a serious matter. My client is accused of having made rather strong statements against others, says Smith. Confusion in court In the indictment, it was submitted that the man was at the other restaurant before he went to Gatsby. This turns out not to be true. Because after Hroar-William Wiik Adelsten has declared himself offended in the case towards the end of the day, it becomes clear that the course of time and the events in the case will be changed. The defendant first approached Adelsten and the roommate at Gatsby. After he was led away from Gatsby, he sought out the other dining establishment. Here he was put on the ground by the owner, and the police were called. The defendant’s defender is Finn Ove Smith (right.) together with the prosecutor in the case Erik Magnus Blomli (left). Photo: Barbro Andersen / news Point three of the complaint, which is not complying with the order to leave the center of Bodø, will therefore most likely be dropped. It is because the indictment was brought out with a sequence of events in the wrong order. Received hate comments afterwards The incident at Gatsby was filmed, and quickly spread on social media, where several people are said to have taken notice of the man. Afterwards, the man has been subjected to unpleasant comments himself, says the defender. – He has not been in the city for long periods, and has avoided being in public space, since people know who he is. He has also experienced a lot of hate and hate comments. Erik Magnus Blomli is the prosecutor in the case. He says that this is a matter that the police give high priority to. – This is a case about hate speech and he is charged with two breaches of that provision. It is a provision that is prioritized by the police. He explains that the penalty for the indictment is three years in prison. Defender Finn Ove Smith notes that there have been several such cases before various courts, and that it is entirely appropriate. – It is important, because it probably helps to raise awareness that people should act with respect for each other, regardless of faith, outlook on life or sexual orientation. Two days have been set aside for the trial.
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The man is accused of inciting a gay couple in Bodø – the trial begins today – news Nordland
