The book fair's communications and marketing manager, Martina Johansson, says that she has not spoken to Stefan Holm about the decision, but tells TT that "we are currently reviewing how the programme items are otherwise handled."
Stefan Holm has commented on the decision to Nya Wermlands-Tidningen and writes:
"I have to respect the Book Fair's decision."
Met in a hotel bar
The incident occurred on Saturday night in a hotel bar in Gothenburg, where the two figures were attending the Book Fair. Holm tells DN that he grabbed Persson by the neck of his shirt and pulled him. Witnesses quoted by SVT describe it as a “stranglehold”.
According to Stefan Holm, the reason for the attack is that Emil Persson, in an interview with Patrik Sjöberg in 2018, allegedly joked and asked if Sjöberg wanted to murder Stefan Holm and his son.
Emil Persson has spoken to SVT and says that he has reported the incident to the police, but otherwise does not want to comment.
Suspicion served
Stefan Holm also confirms the report and tells DN that he has been questioned by police and has been charged with assault.
"I should have handled it in a different way. But I've been carrying this for eight years and it's very difficult to let go of this," he says.
