Published 22 January 2023 at 08.39
Domestic. Turkey demands that Sweden combat criticism of Islam and that we apologize to the world's Muslims, otherwise there will be no membership in NATO. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is now weighing the words with a grain of salt, and does not seem to have given up hope of joining the alliance.
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On Saturday, the anti-Islam politician Rasmus Paludan burned a Koran near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm, which caused strong reactions and anger in Turkey.
“Sweden must act immediately to stop hate-filled provocations against Turkey and fight those who embrace Islam,” Fahrettin Altun, spokesman for Erdogan's AKP party, said on Twitter.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has now expressed his sympathies for the Muslims who feel offended by the incident.
“Burning books that are sacred to many is a deeply disrespectful act. I want to express my sympathy for all Muslims who are offended by what has happened in Stockholm today,” he writes on Twitter.
Turkey summoned Sweden's ambassador to the country and demanded that the demonstration permit be withdrawn.
In addition, Defense Minister Pål Jonson has had to cancel a planned visit to Turkey's Defense Minister.
Freedom of expression is a fundamental part of democracy, but what is legal is not always appropriate, according to Kristersson.
He emphasizes that it is important to show respect for other people's feelings and sacred symbols.
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