Danish court convicts far-right politician, Qur’an burner for racist comments
In Denmark, the Copenhagen City Court on Friday convicted far-right Danish politician Rasmus Paludan of racism for remarks made during a 2019 demonstration.
Paludan, known for his controversial actions and statements, was found guilty of making offensive comments about Somali people, comparing their IQ levels to that of an orangutan during a demonstration in Norrebrogade, Copenhagen.
The court did not impose additional penalties, as Paludan had already received a three-month suspended sentence in 2021 for similar offenses.
Despite the conviction, Paludan expressed no remorse and indicated he would not appeal the decision.
This conviction adds to a series of legal actions against Paludan. Earlier this month, he was sentenced to four months in prison by a Swedish court for inciting hatred against Muslims and insulting ethnic groups during public demonstrations in Sweden in 2022.
Paludan has gained international notoriety for provocative acts, including burning copies of the Quran in Denmark and Sweden under the guise of free speech. These acts sparked widespread protests in Muslim-majority countries, including attacks on diplomatic missions.
Denmark responded to the outcry by enacting laws in December 2023 to ban the public burning of religious texts, including the Quran.
Sweden is still exploring legal frameworks to prevent such incidents, citing national security concerns as justification for potential restrictions on public demonstrations.
