February 10, 2006

Sweden Caves to Islamic Threats, Forces Cartoon Publisher Offline (UPDATE)

Wow, this is the first time that a Western government has forced an online publisher of blasphemy offline. What's really interesting is that the Swedish government cites national security as the cause.

There is a general call for solidarity for all Swedish internet sites by the Stockholm Specatator to republish the cartoon in defiance of the government's capitulation.

And if you think Sweden doesn't have its share of Islamic terrorists, then you haven't been reading The Jawa Report long enough. See Army of Ansar al-Sunnah--In SWEDEN!?!?!; Ansar al-Sunna finds 'Safe Haven' in Sweden, Issues Death Fatwa Against Christian Minister; Sweden Reduces Terrorism Sentences; Muslim Ruled Sweden?

Via Emperor Darth Misha this from the Stockholm Spectator:

According to Dagens Nyheter, the Swedish security services (Säpo), in collusion with Foreign Minister Leila Freivalds, have forced the website SD-Kuriren offline for publishing the Jyllands-Posten cartoons (SD-Kuriren is the house organ of the hard-right Swedish Democrats).

“We think that this was the best decision after we were contacted by the Foreign Ministry and Säpo,� Anna Larsson, vice president of hosting compant Levonline, told DN. Freivalds told DN that “it is terrible that a small group of extremists are exposing Swedes to danger [by reprinting the cartoons].�

UPDATE: Via Michelle Malkin, here is an English translation of some the original article mentioned.

A Swedish Internet provider has shut down the website of an extreme right fringe party after authorities voiced concerns over a Prophet Mohammed drawing contest posted on the site.

Internet provider Levonline shut down the Sweden Democrats’ website late Thursday following discussions with both the foreign ministry and the National security police.

The foreign minister, Laila Freivalds however denies that the ministry ordered the internet provider to shut down the website. Speaking to reporters she said the foreign ministry and the security police simply informed the company of possible ramifications for Swedes abroad....

In a press release on the party’s website the party says it pulled the drawings after considering the consequences for Swedes living in the the muslim world.