Trial for Murder of Swedish Foreign Minister Under Way

MND Newswire ^ | January 14, 2004 | Roger F. Gay

[RogerFGay]

 

Trial for Murder of Swedish Foreign Minister Under Way

January 14, 2004

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ROGER F. GAY FOR MND NEWSWIRE

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The trial for murder of Swedish foreign minister Anna Lindh began at 9:15 in Stockholm this morning. (3:15 am ET) Twenty-five year-old Mijailo Mijailovic has admitted attacking Anna Lindh in the NK department store in downtown Stockholm on September 10, 2003, but denies he planned the crime or intended to kill her. She died from stab wounds in the early morning of September 11^th.

Due to the strength of the evidence and his confession, the trial is ultimately expected to focus on Mr. Mijailovic's mental health and the question of intent, which will play a role in defining the crime and determining the sentence. Relatives have stated they hope he receives psychiatric treatment. The penalty for manslaughter is 6-10 years. The penalty for murder is 10 years to life.

Eye witness accounts led to recognition of a man whose image had been captured by NK security cameras; thereafter referred to as "The NK Man." After the arrest of a suspect who matched the description, police initially ignored a tip identifying Mijailovic, contending it impossible because the assailant was already under arrest. The initial suspect was eventually released and Mijailovic taken into custody.

The murder weapon and items of clothing worn by the assailant were recovered soon after the crime. Analysis of hair, fiber, blood, and finger prints provided a positive match to both Anna Lindh and Mijailo Mijailovic. Once the physical evidence established Mijailovic as The NK Man, he decided to confess, saying he wanted to end speculation that the attack might have been politically motivated.

Details of his confession and public statements by his lawyer Peter Althin present a man with serious psychiatric problems on strong prescription drugs who had sought further care but was denied; once going so far as to explain a morbid obsession with well known politicians. He carried the knife out of fear. After recognizing Anna Lindh as she entered NK, he wandered through the store as voices in his head told him to attack.

Prosecutor Agneta Blidberg described the crime in court this morning, supported by physical evidence and eye witness accounts, including the response of close friend Eva Franchell who confronted and punched the assailant before he ran away. Prosecutors contend that the 14 minutes that passed between the time Mijailovic recognized Anna Lindh and the attack provided sufficient time for planning and proves intent.

Speculation that the crime may have been politically motivated has been built on Mijailovic's Serbian national background. Film has surfaced showing him "following the movements" of Liberal Party leader Lars Leijonborg during a public appearance. Both Leijonborg and Lindh had publicly expressed support for the bombing of Serbia.

[RogerFGay]

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[adam_az]

She was no prize - she routinely took the side of terrorists and dictators, just another "human rights" phoney. (moderator: sorry you didn't like my previous post, I'm just fed up with seeing idiots like Lindh lionized.)
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http://www.boycottisraeligoods.org/modules51450.php

Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh announced that she will boycott Israeli products available in the Swedish market, especially citrus fruits and avocadoes.

Speaking to Swedish television on Friday, April 19, Lindh said, If I am unable to influence my government's policy to boycott Israel, I can at least personally boycott their products. She called on Swedish nationals to boycott Israeli products in the light of the recent massacres committed by the Israeli army in the Palestinian territories. Lindh is a member of the ruling Social Democratic Party and has been sympathetic with Arab issues along with other members of the Swedish government, such as former Foreign Minister Stein Anderson, a personal friend of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. She had in the past asked the European Union to suspend its relations with Israel as a way of denouncing the occupation forces practices against the Palestinian civilian population. Meanwhile, the Palestinian minister for international cooperation Nabil Shaath was visiting Stockholm on Friday and met with Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson who promised to donate 350 million Swedish Corona (nearly $ 35 million) to rebuild Jenin and nearby areas destroyed by Israeli aggression. Persson promised to increase the sum soon. Shaath also met with Lindh who expressed her shock at recent events in the Palestinian territories and promised to do her best to help the Palestinian people. Besides government officials, Swedish nationals have also been sympathizing with the Palestinian cause, many of them wearing badges that said "boycott Israel". The streets of Stockholm on Thursday witnessed demonstrations were banners were raised calling hawkish Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon a mass murderer, and other saying "Bush is a killer" and "Zionism is Fascism". Jews in Sweden have also held counter demonstrations and a few conflicts rose between both sides that was stopped through police intervention. In the Swedish city of Obsala on Friday, a silent demonstration was held with demonstrators wearing black and carrying candles. The increasing number of Swedes participating in anti-Israeli demonstrations has been noticeable and has forced the Palestinian Issue to be featured on the agenda of the Swedish Legislative elections which will be held on September 2002.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1040054,00.html


She became a member of parliament in 1982, and rose quickly through the party ranks. As chairman of the party's youth league (Swedish Social Democratic Youth) from 1984-1990, she was known as the "blonde girl who protested against the environment sins" of major companies. (mmm hmmm.)

Ms Lindh gained a reputation as a fierce and dedicated proponent of human rights. During Sweden's EU presidency she described the US president, George Bush, as a "lone ranger" for his decision to invade Iraq without UN approval. (the proponent of human rights who would have preferred that Saddam continue planting Iraqis in mass graves and feeding them feet-first to plastic shredders. mmm hmm.)

She was also an outspoken critic of Israeli policy under Ariel Sharon. In the same interview, given to the Times of India, she said it made "no sense to have a dialogue with Sharon's government". (But she met regularly with Palestinian terrorists. Must be that human rights imperative again?)

She added: "Our stand is firm and clear: Israeli settlements on the West Bank must go; there must be a Palestinian state; Israel must vacate occupied areas on the West Bank and Gaza Strip; and end all extra-territorial executions and attacks on Palestinians. This should be done immediately." (A EUropean in favor of ethnic cleansing Jews from their homes. What a novelty.)

More recently, she had focused her talents on persuading Swedes to accept the euro. Her popularity with voters was expected to help swing the vote and led one paper to crown her the "Yes Queen". But despite her efforts, the latest opinion polls indicated the majority were still likely to vote no in Sunday's referendum. (Read: Most Swedes are smarter than she was.)

[BurbankKarl]

He will probably get off, since it was the voices that made him do it.

[Travis McGee]

It sounds like there were a lot of witnesses who just stood around like sheep, as she was pursued and stabbed many times during a protracted attack.

[adam_az]

It sounds like there were a lot of witnesses who just stood around like sheep, as she was pursued and stabbed many times during a protracted attack.

We *are* talking about Sweden, after all... Though I'd say Lindh is Finnished, for sure. (Ow.)

[Travis McGee]

Very Finnished.

[Charles Henrickson]

Coverage of the first day of the trial:

Swedish Assassin (of Lindh) Says He Heard Voices

[RogerFGay]

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[RogerFGay]

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