A Swedish Internet provider has shut down the website of an extreme right fringe party after authorities voiced concerns over a Prophet Mohammed drawing contest posted on the site.
Internet provider Levonline shut down the Sweden Democrats’ website late Thursday following discussions with both the foreign ministry and the National security police.
The foreign minister, Laila Freivalds however denies that the ministry ordered the internet provider to shut down the website. Speaking to reporters she said the foreign ministry and the security police simply informed the company of possible ramifications for Swedes abroad.
As Radio Sweden reported on Thursday - the party’s publication SD-Kuriren issued a competition on its website on January 10 for drawings of Mohammed just as criticism of the Danish publication of satirical cartoons of the Muslim prophet last September was beginning to swell.
In a press release on the party’s website the party says it pulled the drawings after considering the consequences for Swedes living in the the muslim world.
In a statement, Editor in Chief of the SD-Kuriren, Richard Jomshof has criticised the authorities for what he terms ”putting pressure” on the internet service provider to shut down a ”law-abiding” website.
