Swedish official faces probe for Islamophobic remark

By Atila Altuntas

STOCKHOLM

Prosecutors are investigating a top city official in southern Sweden over Islamophobic remarks.

Christopher Larsson, vice mayor of the southern coastal city of Karlskrona, is accused of committing a hate crime in a social media posting last year.

On Facebook, arguing that Karlskrona should not allow the adhan, or Muslim call to prayer, to be broadcast over speakers, Larsson wrote: "Allahuakber will echo through the skies of Karlskrona in the same way Islamists shout it when blowing themselves up."

Magnus Manhammar, a Social Democratic Party MP, filed the criminal complaint against Larsson, and local daily Blekinge Lans reported that the regional prosecutor's office began an investigation.

Larsson, a member of the conservative Swedish Democrats, argued that he had not insulted Islam or Muslims.