The book fair's communications manager Martina Johansson does not want to comment on the criminal suspicions against Stefan Holm, but she believes there was sufficient evidence to make a decision to cancel Holm's participation on Sunday.
"To physically attack another participant is not compatible with continued participation in the Book Fair. The decision has been made in dialogue with the parties concerned," she says in an email to TT.
TT has spoken to Rebecka Leffler, CEO of Harper Collins, the publishing house of Stefan Holm and his wife Jessica Eriksson Holm.
"We are shocked by the situation and are trying to handle it to the best of our ability based on the facts we have," she writes in a text message.
She says that the publisher has been in contact with the couple and does not believe they should attend the fair.
"Last night I was in contact with Jessica and Stefan, via text message, to inform them of the situation. I then asked them not to attend the Book Fair today."
“Respects decisions”
On Sunday, Stefan Holm was supposed to have participated in three programme items together with his wife and fellow author Jessica Eriksson Holm, including a seminar on the book genre "sports romance" in Swedish. Whether the programme items will still be carried out is still unclear, according to Martina Johansson.
Stefan Holm has commented on the decision to Nya Wermlands-Tidningen and writes:
"I have to respect the Book Fair's decision."
Jessica Eriksson Holm's participation has also been cancelled, she tells NWT. According to her, the decision was made by the publisher and the fair, without contacting the Holm couple.
"I'm also banned from the Book Fair. It's absolutely terrible. I'm so sorry," she writes to the newspaper.
Met in a hotel bar
The incident occurred on Saturday night in a hotel bar in Gothenburg where the two figures were there in connection with the Book Fair. Holm tells DN that he grabbed Persson by the neck of his shirt and pulled him. Witnesses to SVT describe it as a “stranglehold”.
The reason for the attack, according to Stefan Holm, 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 solved 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 tells the newspaper.
Born: May 25, 1976.
Merits: Olympic gold 2004, World Championship silver 2003, European Championship silver 2002, European Championship bronze 2006. Four World Championship golds indoors (2001, 2003, 2004, 2008). Two titles in "On the track".
Father of Melwin Lycke Holm, born in 2004, who is also a high jumper.
Married Jessica Eriksson Holm this summer.
Has written, among other things, the autobiography "Stefan Holm - high jumper" (2005), the book of jokes "Tvetydigheter" (2012) and several children's books and romantic novels together with his wife.
Born: October 6, 1985.
Started the podcast "Fördomspodden" in 2016, where Persson airs his prejudices about famous guests. Used the format for party leader questioning on SVT before the last election.
Has produced, among other things, "Alla mot alla med Filip och Fredrik" and is a recurring panel member in SVT's "Land of the Cyclops".
