Danish-Swedish Paludan, who has drawn attention among other things by burning korans, was sentenced in November last year to four months in prison by Malmö district court.
The district court assessed that he had expressed contempt for, among others, Muslims on two occasions when he burned korans – in April and September 2022. The court of appeal for Skåne and Blekinge believes that he, on the occasion in April, rather criticized Islam than Muslims as a group and acquits him.
”It is close at hand to interpret the statements as criticism of religion, which is not punishable as incitement against a group of people”, the court of appeal writes in a press release.
On the other hand, the court of appeal also sentences Paludan for incitement against a group of people for the occasion in September.
”Unlike the first occasion, he has here expressed himself specifically about different groups of people in a way that is criminal.”
Paludan is sentenced to a conditional sentence and day fines.
