The statements Hans Jørgen Lysglimt Johansen is charged with were aimed at Jews, Muslims and people with a homosexual orientation. They were published on various platforms in the period from 2017 to 2021. He denies criminal guilt. – I will have a full acquittal, absolutely. It is also the case that I will probably not plead guilty either, because I do not understand the indictment, says Lysglimt Johansen to news before the trial. According to the prosecution, he is said to have referred to Jews as “child abusers” a number of times and called Jews an inferior group. He has also stated that Jews are behind a global conspiracy. On Tuesday morning, the 52-year-old brought musicians with drums outside the Oslo district court, to “set the mood”. – This is a non-issue, it should never have been here. It will be six days in court, I respect that, but we want to show quite clearly that it is a case that should not have been in court at all, says Lysglimt Johansen. Johansen (in the middle) with defenders Bjørn Robert Antonsen and Jonas Berge. Photo: Einar Torkelsen / news Refused to answer When the court went through several of the charges relating to hate speech, Johansen pleaded not guilty to several of the charges. But he also refused to answer the judge several times. He says that he does not understand several of the charges, and repeatedly asked to be asked questions about them. – I feel run over, says Johansen to the judge. The judge asked him several times to be quiet and that he would be given the opportunity to ask questions later. – You must be quiet, she says to Johansen. Johansen says to news that he is being subjected to an abuse of court. – That is why I have tried to break in several times and take this up with the judge. But unfortunately this is a fixed game. It has been agreed between the judge and my lawyers that this is how it should be, because she does not want any disturbances in her process, he says. Lysglimt dances and sings “Hare Krishna” together with musicians outside the court premises. Photo: Einar Torkelsen / news Interrupted several times State Attorney Carl Graff Hartmann devoted a lot of time in court to presenting a number of statements Johansen has published online. In between, he nods appreciatively to what is being read out. In addition, he interrupted the court several times. – We have to take this settlement against the Jews now. We’ve had enough. I myself am fed up with the Jews being allowed to push this false holocaust narrative, wrote Johansen on X last autumn. Hartmann tells news that it is particularly the hateful statements to Johansen that call for attention. – He has made many statements which the prosecution believes are contrary to the Criminal Code’s provision that one is not allowed to make such hateful statements, he says. Police prosecutor Anders Lafton Briskodden and state prosecutor Carl Graff Hartmann in court. Photo: Einar Torkelsen / news It is not yet known what kind of claim the prosecution is going to make. Hartmann points out that the court is often more reluctant to punish very severely in cases of hateful speech, because it can border on freedom of expression. – On the other hand, there are a number of aggravating factors in this case which perhaps suggest that the punishment should be somewhat stricter than is often the case, says Hartmann. Comprehensive indictment Two weeks have been set aside to process the five-page long indictment. It lists a number of posts which the prosecution believes are affected by the Criminal Code’s prohibition against discriminatory or hate speech. These are presented on Twitter, the video service BitChute, TikTok and Instagram. Several of the messages incorporate traditional conspiracy theories that are repeated in far-right circles. – We are talking about statements made on the internet, where the form is both written messages, videos where the defendant speaks, and so-called memes, state attorney Carl Graff Hartmann told Filter Nyheter last winter. Lysglimt Johansen is also charged with intimidating or reckless behaviour, due to several reports about the former head of the Mosaic religious community in Oslo. Hans Jørgen Glimpses Johansen outside the court premises. Will film the explanation Lysglimt Johansen’s lawyer has said that the statements must be understood and interpreted in the context in which they are presented, and are therefore protected by freedom of expression. Johansen has been given permission to film his own statement in court. The Oslo District Court writes in a ruling that the considerations which justify the rule on film bans and which are supposed to safeguard the defendant’s rights, do not come to the forefront when it is the defendant who films himself on his own initiative. The court also partially agrees with Lysglimt Johansen that the case is of public interest. The court has nevertheless put its foot down for live streaming of the explanation. State attorney Carl Graff Hartmann appealed the decision, because he was concerned that the filming would lead to further dissemination of the statements. Lysglimt discusses the case with defender Bjørn Robert Antonsen. Photo: Einar Torkelsen / news Risking prison The alliance leader is also charged with insurance fraud and Nav fraud. According to the indictment, he is said to have received over NOK 665,000 too much in unemployment benefits from Nav in the period 2017 to 2019. This point can ultimately lead to a prison sentence of six years. Hateful speech is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 3 years. Lysglimt Johansen and the Alliansen party have been in rough weather several times. Despite the fact that the party presented a list in all counties at the last general election, they ended up with a support of 0.1 per cent. The party has recently changed its name to Alliance – Alternative for Norway. Published 18.06.2024, at 10.23 Updated 19.06.2024, at 05.56
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Alliance leader in court for hate speech – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
