DFer acquitted of racism

MP comparing Muslim women to garbage was creating debate about women’s rights, says defence lawyer

Tina Petersen, a former MP for Dansk Folkeparti (DF) and current member of the Svendborg City Council, has has been acquitted of racism after posting a photo on her Facebook page in April that compared Muslims to rubbish.

“Hehe … Remember to take out the big trash tomorrow ;-)))…” Petersen wrote next to a manipulated photo of a burka-clad Muslim woman and child who were made to resemble the two rubbish bags they are standing next to.

The public prosecutor’s office on Funen filed the indictment. Petersen was acquitted by a unanimous decision.

“The court found that Petersen had no intention of hurting anyone,” Petersen’s defence lawyer, Jens Bertel Rasmussen, told TV2 Funen. “Her intent was merely to create a debate about the oppression of women.”

Rasmussen told the court that the offensive picture had appeared many places online since 2006, and that during Petersen’s political career she has fought for women's rights and against the oppression of women.

“This is a good decision showing that there is considerable scope for debate and freedom of expression in Denmark,” said Rasmussen.




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