Apples painted with Adolf Hitler's face were placed at the doorstep of Johan Forssell's home, and outside Benjamin Dousa's home a doll was placed holding a pretend knife in one hand and a red-painted doll's head in the other.
The events in January received widespread attention after the Rojava Committees published images of the actions on social media. According to the posts, it was a protest against government aid to Syria, which the posts said has been ruled by the Islamist HTS since the fall of the Assad regime.
Prosecutor Carl Mellberg says the actions constitute unlawful conduct or gross unlawful threats. During Thursday's trial in Stockholm District Court, he requested a prison sentence of one year and two months.
This is far beyond the threshold of criminal conduct, and it is something the defendant must have realized.
“Very well placed”
In court, Johan Forssell said he and his wife discovered the apples after they had been shopping.
It was a basket of apples with drawings of Adolf Hitler. You're really shocked when you see it.
The couple's children were alone in the house and he wondered if someone had broken into the home.
So yes, there was discomfort in that respect, but also fear.
Benjamin Dousa said he was alerted to the doll by a neighbor and that he initially worried that a violent group might be behind it.
When I had spoken to the Security Service and to Johan (Forssell), I understood that it was the Rojava Committee. Then things calmed down.
What still worried him was that it was done outside his home, where he felt safe.
Denies wrongdoing
The defendant denies he has done anything criminal. His lawyer, Silas Aliki, emphasized that the purpose was to draw attention to the fact that Swedish aid can go to HTS.
It is the defense's opinion that the actions fall within the scope of freedom of expression and demonstration,
The defendant drove there in his own car, was unmasked, wore a high-visibility vest and gave an interview after the action. "You don't do that if you think you're committing a crime," the 43-year-old said. He didn't think it could be perceived as threatening.
I have been clear about what I have done and why I have done it, and I was convinced that it was not illegal.
The night after the action outside Benjamin Dousa's home, the 43-year-old was arrested. He has been in custody since then, but the district court decided after the trial to release him.
