Freedom of expression

Stockholm - In the criminal investigation against Catholic bishop Richard Williamson, who said in an SVT interview broadcast in January that the orthodox 'Holocaust' did not happen, German prosecutors want to question the Swedish journalist who interviewed him. The Chancellor of Justice (Justitiekanslern) Göran Lambertz (above) has denied this request. He maintained that Williamson has not committed any criminal offense in Sweden. Since he is not a suspect, the Swedish constitution also protects his freedom of expression. Lambertz further points out that in Sweden those who are interviewed on television enjoy full freedom of expression, with very few exceptions that are irrelevant in this case. For Swedish journalists, it is a foreign concept that interviewees could be held responsible for what they say. It is also unimaginable that the journalist himself would testify about what was said or done.

German prosecutor Günther Ruckdäschel (below) at Regensburg had launched an investigation into the incident. The district attorney in Regensburg has asked the Swedish Prosecution Authority for international legal assistance. The request sought permission to interview the journalist as a witness in the case.