A person charged for threats against mayor Magnus Mæland in Sør-Varanger – news Troms and Finnmark

In November last year, a manipulated photo of the mayor of Sør-Varanger was shared in an open group on Facebook. In the photo, Magnus Mæland (H) could be seen with an attack drone aimed at his head. One person has now been charged in the case. – The person has been charged with threats, says police prosecutor Marit Valan in the Finnmark police district. In November, news wrote that the Facebook profile that shared the photo was probably fake. Among other things, the profile picture was probably created with the help of artificial intelligence. Police prosecutor Valan says she cannot say anything more about who is charged in the case. – What I can say is that the case has been fully investigated and is ready for prosecution, she says. The Facebook profile that posted the manipulated photo used this profile picture. Photo: Screenshot from Facebook – Important to prioritize threats against politicians The manipulated image was shared after the commemoration of 25 October, which is the anniversary of the commemoration of Eastern Finnmark’s liberation in 1944. Due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Sør-Varanger municipality canceled the joint commemoration with the Russian authorities, which was previously common. During the commemoration, the mayor also came into conflict with the Russian consul in Kirkenes. Afterwards, Mæland was harassed in an open Facebook group. It was also in this group that the manipulated image was posted. Mayor Magnus Mæland says that it is good that the police have now laid charges in the case. – It is a sign that the police and the prosecution are taking this seriously. It is very important that threats against politicians are prioritized in order to protect democracy, he says. Mayor Magnus Mæland says it is important that threats against politicians are prioritized. Photo: Kristina Kalinina / news – Lies and deception In a debate post from 25 June in Aftenposten, Mæland wrote that charges had been brought in the case. – We must always remember that one of the most important tools of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, such as Russia, is propaganda, says Mæland to news. He emphasizes that propaganda like this reaches many people, and that it is therefore important to combat it. – It is my duty to be clear about what is happening and fight it. Propaganda poisons our minds and sours debates. And that is simply a lie and a deception, he says. Published 01.07.2024, at 16.44



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