He is also to pay 20,000 kronor in damages to the person he insulted.
The Malmö District Court believes that he expressed contempt towards, among others, Muslims at two different gatherings in Malmö in 2022.
Prosecutor Adrien Combier-Hogg had wanted a longer sentence, eight to nine months' imprisonment, and believes that Paludan engaged in propaganda activities ahead of the parliamentary election in Sweden.
I thought it had a very high penalty value and bordered on gross crime, he says.
He has not taken a stance on whether the verdict should be appealed, but is positive about the assessment of guilt.
It's certainly positive that the court has more or less come to the exact conclusion I claimed in the indictment.
"No advanced interpretation"
Paludan's defense attorney has claimed that the prosecutor interpreted statements about Islam and drew the conclusion that it concerned Muslims. But the court follows the prosecutor's line. Chief Judge Nicklas Söderberg tells TT that it's not about any advanced interpretation.
— Even if he says that "Islam is taking over a country" or that "Islam is good at killing", it's very clear from the context that he's actually talking about Muslims, says the judge.
The District Court emphasizes that Paludan's actions cannot be excused as criticism of Islam or political campaigning. It is permitted to express critical opinions about, for example, Islam, but it must not exceed the limits of a factual and respectful discussion.
Insult and offend
Here, it was not such a discussion, according to the court. The statements only aimed to insult and offend Muslims, believes Chief Judge Nicklas Söderberg.
Paludan states in a phone call that he does not share the District Court's assessment.
I have informed my defense attorney that we will appeal to the Court of Appeal.
His defense attorney Olov Mattsson Dismats assesses their prospects as good.
The defense maintains what was presented at the main hearing.
Hung up the phone
In connection with the indictment being brought and Rasmus Paludan was to be served, he hung up the phone when the court tried to reach him. The statute of limitations for the offense of insult passed before Paludan could be formally reached. But he is still convicted of insulting a person, since the court assesses that he "actively evaded the court's persistent contact attempts".
The sentence is set to imprisonment because Paludan has previously been convicted of similar crimes in Denmark.
