Sweden Media & Sweden Politician Prejudicial Attack on Assange - 2012

ꕤ Article SOURCE - 2012 http://www.friatider.se/the-swedish-media-war-on-assange Archive https://archive.is/Ppbhi [CLICK image for clarity / enlargement] ꕤ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Media & Politician Prejudicial Attack on Assange #Sweden media. Deputy editor-in-chief Svenska Dagbladet, #Stockholm daily, Martin Jönsson called #Assange a "paranoid querulant" #WikiLeaks @Raw_Binary 3h 2012 Article Jakten på Wikileaks The Swedish media war on Assange - "Australian pig", "retard", "white-haired crackpot", "scumbag" Publicerad 24 augusti 2012 kl 08.00 Inrikes.Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has claimed that the media climate in Sweden has become so "hostile" against him that it may now jeopardize his right to a fair trial. These allegations have been strongly rejected by several Swedish officials, but a brief glance at recent Swedish media coverage on Assange seems to show that they are not entirely without ground. In a controversial statement last week, Swedish Minister of Social Affairs Göran Hägglund called Assange a 'coward' and a 'pitiful wretch' for taking refuge at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Hägglund also alleged that Assange was afraid of having "his case tried by the court", even though Assange has not been charged with any crime and has not been summoned to court. He added that Assange was a "scumbag" if the accusations against him were true. Another official reaction came from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an angry attempt to explain why Assange cannot be questioned in London: 'You do not dictate the terms if you are a suspect. Get it?', the Ministry declared via its official Twitter channel. The bulk of the attacks on Assange, however, do not come from government officials, but from journalists and prominent intellectuals. The four major Swedish newspapers - Dagens Nyheter, Svenska Dagbladet, Aftonbladet and Expressen - have all roundly condemned the Wikileaks founder, using very strong language. A number of examples are provided below to illustrate the general tone of Swedish media opinion on Assange. In Sweden's largest tabloid Aftonbladet, well-known columnist Oisín Cantwell characterized Assange as a "coward", a "creep", a "white-haired crackpot" and an "asshole" because he would rather request asylum from Ecuador than face extradition to Sweden. Cantwell's colleague at Aftonbladet, Johanne Hildebrandt, famous for her reporting from the wars in former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan, chimed in. "He's a paranoid retard who refuses to come to Sweden", she claimed in a recent column. Also writing in Aftonbladet, prominent journalist Martin Aagård called Assange an "Australian pig". "There are many good reasons to criticize Assange. One of them is that he's a repugnant swine", Aagård elaborated. In Svenska Dagbladet, a major Stockholm daily, deputy editor-in-chief Martin Jönsson called Assange a "paranoid querulant" who is to blame for "letting Wikileaks fall into ruins". He described Assange's recent speech from the balcony of Ecuador's embassy as a "megalomaniac's circus". The same theme was echoed by an editorial writer in Sweden's largest daily, Dagens Nyheter, who also called Assange 'paranoid', and a 'querulant'. Jan Guillou, a well-known journalist and probably Sweden's most famous author, recently proclaimed in Aftonbladet that regardless of "whether Assange is guilty or not 'he's still an unprincipled disgusting little creep", adding "and now I'm holding back". Writing in Sweden's second-largest tabloid, Expressen, TV journalist and news anchor Jenny Strömstedt advocated that Assange should be put on display in a glass cage at Ecuador's London embassy for the next fifteen years "so that anyone willing to pay entrance can watch his aging struggles". According to Expressen's culture editor Karin Olsson, Assange is a "dodgy hacker" whom most Swedes view as "a paranoid chauvinist pig". "A year ago we Swedes hailed Assange as a James Bond of the net. Now he's seen as a pitiable, paranoid figure", she writes. Having previously been portrayed as a romantic rebel, Assange has now become the target of what can only be described as a vicious smear campaign. Legal experts commenting on the accusations against Assange, however, have usually been far from convinced that the prosecutor's case holds water.  For example, Ove Bring, professor emeritus of international law, recently stated that the prosecutor would probably have to drop the case against Assange once he has been questioned, since "the evidence is not enough to charge him with a crime". http://www.friatider.se/the-swedish-media-war-on-assange Archive https://archive.is/Ppbhi SUMMARY Göran Hägglund Swedish Minister of Social Affairs called Assange a 'coward' and a 'pitiful wretch' [comment:  for (rightfully) obtaining political asylum] Göran Hägglund Swedish Minister of Social Affairs prejudiced Assange legal standing & smeared Assange with allegations that Assange was afraid of:  'having "his case tried by the court"' ... yet Sweden has 'no case' to speak of Assange has NOT been charged with any crime & Assange has not been summoned to court Göran Hägglund Swedish Minister of Social Affairs Swedish Minister of Social Affairs asserted that Assange: 'a  "scumbag" if the accusations against him were true.' Key here is:  'if' Note:  Assange has not been convicted of any crime or even charged with one, as at the date of the Swedish politician making disgraceful, prejudicial public statements -- or since. Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Twitter 'explanation' for why Assange cannot be questioned in London: 'You do not dictate the terms if you are a suspect. Get it?' Sweden & UK Ministry of Truth TRUE CONDUCT & AGENDA EXPOSED [CLICK image for clarity / enlargement] ꕤ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Bulk of the attacks on Assange from journalists & prominent intelligentsia [comment:  because they do the dirty work of the state, & probably because politicians, mainstream journalists & intelligentsia rely on the patronage of the same elites] x4 Major Swedish newspapers condemned Assange: Dagens Nyheter (Sweden largest daily) Svenska Dagbladet (major Stockholm daily) Aftonbladet (Sweden largest tabloid) Expressen (Sweden second-largest tabloid) Oisín Cantwell Columnist Aftonbladet (Sweden largest tabloid) "Assange as a "coward", a "creep", a "white-haired crackpot" and an "asshole" because he would rather request asylum from Ecuador than face extradition to Sweden." [comment:  ie. compliant mainstream media reaction re:  politically persecuted Australian journalist obtaining (rightful) political asylum] Johanne Hildebrandt Yugoslavia & Afghanistan [propagandist scribe] Aftonbladet (Sweden largest tabloid) " ... chimed in.  "He's a paranoid retard who refuses to come to Sweden", she claimed in a recent column." [comment:  As pointed out by Assange lawyer, Sweden declined to interview Assange while he was in Sweden & subsequently failed to do so while he was in the UK (making an exception of him)] Martin Aagård prominent journalist Aftonbladet (Sweden largest tabloid) " ... called Assange an "Australian pig"." ""There are many good reasons to criticize Assange. One of them is that he's a repugnant swine", Aagård elaborated." Martin Jönsson Deputy editor-in-chief Svenska Dagbladet (major Stockholm daily) called Assange:  ""paranoid querulant" who is to blame for "letting Wikileaks fall into ruins"." "described Assange's recent speech from the balcony of Ecuador's embassy as a "megalomaniac's circus"." [comment:  it is interesting that the media circus is referred to here, when it is the Swedish authorities that leaked information to the Swedish tabloids in order to create this very media circus and press smear that Assange has been subjected to] Dagens Nyheter (Sweden largest daily) editorial writer: "also called Assange 'paranoid', and a 'querulant'." [comment:  LOL ... I think I'd be 'paranoid', too, if I had a 150-man US law enforcement team, the FBI, the US State Department, the US Department of Justice and various other US agencies intent on extraditing me re secret US Grand jury sealed indictment (legal accusation), confirmed January 2011 (here)] Jan Guillou well-known journalist Sweden's most famous author [in Aftonbladet (Sweden largest tabloid)] "... regardless of "whether Assange is guilty or not 'he's still an unprincipled disgusting little creep", adding "and now I'm holding back"." [comment:  Yep.  What a creep, exposing US (& Western) government wrongdoings & war crimes. How dare he seek to defend himself from dodgy legal assault aimed at US extradition, based on Sweden police flimsy and suspect  'allegations'! And, most of all, how dare the politically persecuted creep obtain political asylum from Ecuador?!] RIGHT-CLICK IMAGE Select:  'Open Link in New TAB' Use Magnifier tool for FULL ENLARGEMENT ꕤ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Jenny Strömstedt TV journalist & news anchor via Expressen (Sweden second-largest tabloid) " ... advocated that Assange should be put on display in a glass cage at Ecuador's London embassy for the next fifteen years "so that anyone willing to pay entrance can watch his aging struggles"." [comment:  being the subject of intense media attention and assault, while imprisoned without charge on flimsy Sweden 'allegations'  (that come with plenty of mind-boggling regularities) is a lot like the glass cage this tabloid hack envisaged. Coincidentally, it's to this Sweden tabloid, Expressen, that the alleged Sweden 'complainants' proposed divulging information ... information for which they expected to be paid by some source (not clear to me who was expected to make such payment)] RIGHT-CLICK IMAGE Select:  'Open Link in New TAB' Use Magnifier tool for FULL ENLARGEMENT ꕤ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Karin Olsson Expressen (Sweden second-largest tabloid) "Assange is a "dodgy hacker" whom most Swedes view as "a paranoid chauvinist pig"." [comment:  yaaaawn ... Did the Sweden government issue a press directive or something, seeing these tabloid hacks are echoing the same garbage?] ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- However, legal experts are not convinced by allegations of the Sweden authorities: [CLICK image for clarity / enlargement] ꕤ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Ove Bring professor emeritus of international law Sweden prosecutor is without sufficient evidence to charge Assange with a crime [ LINK Archive:  https://archive.is/6Ro7S ] Professor Ove Bring also refers to Sweden's reluctance to make an 'exception' of Assange by questioning Assange in London. However, this is not supported by evidence that has subsequently come to light. Sweden has an established practice of questioning parties abroad & has questioned 44 persons in UK alone, whereas it has refused to likewise question Assange in Britain. So Sweden HAS been making an EXCEPTION of Assange, by NOT interviewing ASSANGE in London, as it interviewed the other 44 persons in UK between 2010-2015.   What is this, if not more evidence of POLITICAL PERSECUTION? [CLICK image for clarity / enlargement] ꕤ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. [CLICK image for clarity / enlargement] ꕤ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. We have subsequently learned Sweden declined to interview Assange in Britain for strategic reasons:  ie to prevent Assange being able to legally defend himself while they continue the political persecution offensive, and that this strategic legal manoeuvre that apparently disregards the principles of justice, has taken place with the full cooperation of the British and on advice of the British Crown Prosecution Service. The British Crown Prosecution Service also explicitly stated that proposed extradition of Assange is not being treated in accordance with the established norm for all others, ie "as "just another extradition request.' Once again:  political persecution of a journalist who exposed US and Western allied wrongdoings and crimes.  [CLICK image for clarity / enlargement] ꕤ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Abovementioned Swedish politicians are NOT the first to attack and legally prejudice legal proceedings against Assange.  Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt got straight into political interference in 2010  (here).  That's just off the top of my head.  I think there have been other prejudicial statements - eg:   Cecilia Malmström European Commissioner for Home Affairs 2012 Prejudicial Press Statement { USA link:   US attorney-general Eric Holder, co-author article } LINK  | Post Meanwhile, the array of compliant Swedish journalists and intelligentsia that yap at the heels of Assange in Swedish media, smearing him in an effort to shape negative public opinion, do the dirty work of the corrupt state that is politically persecuting a courageous Australian journalist, on behalf of their powerful US ally. The extent they go to smear and assault Assange would be laughable, were it not so serious a consequence for him. Take Martin Aagård, Aftonbladet, referring to him as an 'Australian pig' and thereby not only assaulting Assange, who is a target of US-Anglo led political persecution, executed by the state of Sweden, but it is also insulting all Australian nationals. Members of the Swedish mainstream press and their mainstream Swedish media publications sound like a bunch of pitchfork waving mentally challenged hicks.  But, of course, they're not:  they're just butt-kissing presstitute journalists doing the dirty work of the state, probably because they pretty much share the same elite patrons as the politicians that comprise 'the state'. Note also that this is the same Swedish press that ignores and helps cover up rape, gang-rape and mob rape of Swedish women by third world arrivals, that the Swedish and European politicians have imposed on Swedes and Europeans for decades now, in support of the agendas of their respective economic and power elites, on whose behalf the West has been (and continues to be) engaged in decades-long serial covert and open military interventions, in the Middle East and in Africa (although these interventions cannot fully explain the suicidal policies such politicians have pursued and imposed on Europeans). And it is the same press that is covering up murder of a teenager: Sweden Media Misrepresents Murder of Teenager in Swedish School European Media Remains Silent LINK | here ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- ꕤ

Saudi Arabia (largest Sweden trading partner in ME) - Sweden Weapons Factory Deal

GOOGLE TRANSLATION Investor behind Saudi article It's Investor Chairman Jacob Wallenberg behind the famous debate article in Dagens Nyheter. It reveals SR echo that have taken part of a secret emails. Investors PR agency Kreab would not comment on whether they have been involved.     2015-03-06 17:30 This morning, an article in Dagens Nyheter signed by 31 directors, including Stefan Persson, Anders Nyrén, CEO of Industrivärden and Cristina Stenbeck, Chairman of Kinnevik. They argue that Sweden's credibility as a trading partner is at stake and wants the government to respect the criticized cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, which means that Sweden is building a weapons factory ate and in Saudi Arabia. The article has stirred up a lot of emotions and H & M went earlier in the day received the call and says that Stefan Persson signed debate article as a private person.- H & M has not written during debate article, we do not stand behind it, 'said Camilla Emilsson Falk, Press Manager at H & M, to SvD. [SvD = Svenska Dagbladet - Swedish daily newspaper] Several others who signed has also declined to comment. Now reveals echo that it's Investors Chairman Jacob Wallenberg underlying debate article in cooperation with Ericsson's chairman Leif Johansson. In an email sent Wednesday from his secretary to 40 businessmen, he urges them to sign the final text."We now need to make the business a strong signal about the importance of Sweden respect signed agreements" it says in the email that Echo has taken note of. Investor have long collaborated with PR firm Kreab. When Résumé reaches Peje Emilsson who is the founder and chairman of getting a comment about their possible role in the debate article will answer the standard:- We never comment on what we do or do not do, he says. Fredrik Thambert http://www.resume.se/nyheter/pr/2015/03/06/investor-bakom-saudi-artikeln/ COMMENT Looks like Jacob Wallenberg + Leif Johansson (Ericsson chairman) have been lobbying hard for Sweden to proceed with setting up a weapons factory in Saudi Arabia, despite opposition in Sweden. Svenska Dagbladet owner = Schibsted Media Group is a Norwegian, listed co Largest shareholder = Blommenholm industrier (26.1%) = Tinius Trust (Norway) Other owners include a number of American banks and financial services companies eg  J. P. Morgan, Northern Trust  & The Bank of New York Mellon Huge interests spread over many countries. Some Sweden media interests: Aftonbladet (91%) Svenska Dagbladet Metro (35%) *Believe Metro is a free paper (unless this 'Metro' refers to another type of business). Source - Wikipedia Maybe this type of thing explains why Iran is an official 'enemy' in the West. Saudi Arabia would see Iran as a regional competitor in a number of respects (incl. religious - ie Iran Shia v Saudi Sunni). If Western companies are so bound up in money (projects, investment, selling arms to Saudi Arabia (now world's largest arms importer)), they would probably be inclined to support Saudi Arabia's position, foreign policy, aims and so on. I'm just guessing here.  But that makes sense to me. Looks like there might be a bit of a history in relation to this weapons factory deal (unless there's been more than one controversy): Anger over Sweden's 'secret' Saudi arms plant Opposition condemns government after broadcaster reveals documents said to show links between Swedish firm and Riyadh. 07 Mar 2012 18:59 GMT | Politics, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Sweden Sten Tolgfors, left, the Swedish defence minister, says there is no record of any such deal [EPA] Sweden has been secretly helping Saudi Arabia plan the construction of an arms factory to produce anti-tank missiles, the Swedish national broadcaster has reported. The Swedish Defence Research Agency (known by its Swedish acronym FOI) has co-operated with Saudi Arabia since 2005, though construction on "Project Simoom" has yet to begin, Swedish Radio reported on Tuesday, citing hundreds of classified documents and interviews with key players. Denying the existence of the project, Jan-Olof Lind, the FOI director general, told the radio station: "We do not have a project agreement with that country." While Sweden has sold weapons to Saudi Arabia in the past, classified government documents show that the current project "pushes the boundaries of what is possible for a Swedish authority", the radio reported. "The fact that an authority such as FOI is involved in the planning of a weapons factory for a government in a dictatorship such as Saudi Arabia is quite unique," the radio said. Asked specifically if there has been a Project Simoom with Saudi Arabia, Lind replied: "No. And I do not wish to comment on discussions that may or may not have occurred between Sweden and Saudi Arabia. These discussions are classified." Several former FOI employees, however, have confirmed the existence of the project to Swedish Radio, including Dick Straeng, who said he led the project until 2010. "If I were to contradict your claims I would have to say that the documents you are showing me are fakes, and they are not," he said when presented with the classified material. He said the Swedish government was fully aware of the plans. "Here is a document that the director general signed and sent to the ministry," he said. The defence ministry refused to comment on the radio's report because of the classified nature of the project. "I can't comment on the co-operation," Haakan Jevrell, the state secretary, told the radio. Shell company The radio station claimed that FOI set up a shell company in order to avoid any direct links between itself and the Saudi government. "FOI has, as far as the defence ministry knows, no collaboration with the company mentioned in the radio report," Sten Tolgfors, the Swedish defence minister, wrote on his blog. "There are no government decisions giving FOI a mandate to build a factory for weapons production," he added. Fredrick Reinfeldt, the Swedish prime minister, addressed the issue only briefly on Tuesday. "The government is responsible for ensuring that legislation and regulations are in place and followed, and I presume that the responsible authorities have respected the law," he told news agency TT. [How's that for sidestepping the issue & making this about merely govt administration and non-interference, while this is very much a government/public foreign policy matter.  As if govt is supposed to merely be a rubber stamp.  Or, that's how it sounds to me.] The co-operation deal with Saudi Arabia was struck in 2005 when the centre-left Social Democrats were in power, but was renewed in 2010 by the current government, the radio report said. [That's because all politicians work for the same masters.] Opposition uproar The co-head of Sweden's opposition Greens Party has demanded an investigation take place into the reported deal. Tolgfors, the defence minister, has been reported to the parliament's KU committee, which scrutinises ministers' handling of government affairs. "KU must examine whether the defence minister's actions are in line with Sweden's democratic ideals and international commitments," Gustav Fridolin said in a statement. He said a Swedish collaboration with Saudi Arabia would not be beneficial for democracy in the world or Swedish interests. "Sweden should not ruin its good reputation by supporting the militaries of dictatorships," he said. Another opposition party, the Left Party, has called for a special parliamentary debate. Deputy Prime Minister Jan Bjorklund, who is head of the second largest ruling party, the Liberals, in the centre-right coalition government, said he had been against the co-operation deal with Saudi Arabia under which such a plant would fall. "Sweden should be able to export military goods to democracies, not to dictatorships," he told reporters. Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, a member of the largest coalition party, the Moderates, told public radio that he supported continuing co-operation with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is Sweden's largest trading partner in the Middle East. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/03/20123718144905918.html Assuming these are linked stories. This looks like another example of Sweden's politicians doing things on the quiet & playing innocent when their activities comes to light. Don't know which documents they're referring to. Not really sure what the big deal is, apart from maybe it makes better commercial sense to do the manufacture, sales and export than it does to set someone else up to make weapons. On the other hand, if Saudi Arabia are backers of Sunni extremists in the Middle East, a Saudi weapons factory probably isn't ideal for regional peace and stability. Greens Party & Left Party are in opposition by the sound of things, while the Moderate Party and the Social Democratic Party play for the same side.   * Also, Defence Research / FOI set up a shifty shell company for distancing.  And then it looks like everyone went about denying what came out in the classified documents release.  Only for it to become an issue again in 2015.  How shift are all these politicians? * Yeah, Project Simoom, looks like the same weapons factory deal. Criticism of possible Sweden arms trade laws breach & secretive nature of deal took place when the deal was exposed.  This is not an exception in Sweden.  Parliament and public being fooled and kept in the dark by politicians and intelligence staffers seems to be the way things are done over there.  So what does this say about the likelihood of a secret US-Sweden deal regarding US-Swedish  'Project Get-Assange'?  I'd wager it's much like this secret deal that everyone denied.