A man who describes himself as “very left-wing, socialist, and anti-racist” is on trial for harassment after allegedly spitting in the face of Sweden Democrat (SD) top politician Richard Jomshof during a concert in Stockholm this spring. The man claims that Jomshof is lying about the incident in order to promote his Islam-critical book, Kafir, and is “playing the victim.” Samnytt can report that the man is a cartoonist connected to the ETC publication, known for creating images of SD leader Jimmie Åkesson wearing an armband associated with Nazi Germany, calling him “Führer Åkesson.”
The incident took place around midnight between May 15th and 16th, at Slaktkyrkan in Johanneshov, southern Stockholm, where the Sweden Democrats’ MP was attending a synth concert with his wife.
As he was about to leave the venue, he encountered the widely discussed cartoonist Emanu Garnheim, 45, who is known for engaging in political satire, especially targeting those seen as right-wing.
Garnheim has, among other things, collaborated over the years with the far-left magazine ETC, where he is described as “popular.” According to the indictment, the same cartoonist is now accused of spitting directly in the face of an MP from Sweden’s second largest party during the concert.
– It hit my face and neck, and I remember wiping my cheek with the back of my left hand. Later, my wife noticed that I had spit on my polo shirt, Jomshof recounted in a police interview.
READ ALSO: SD Top Politician Richard Jomshof Spat in the Face
The SD top has stated that it is not unusual for party representatives to be subjected to similar attacks. At the same time, he says he tried to remain calm because he is aware that politicians risk being exposed in the media if they retaliate.
– I was of course surprised. I stopped and turned toward him and confronted him directly. I was probably both surprised and upset, Jomshof said during the interview.
– But it is not the first time people have done similar things, so I have learned that when it happens, I try to remain as calm as possible because there is always a risk that it will escalate.
– Also, I know that if anything happens and I defend myself, it will be written about in the newspapers and it does not matter if I was just defending myself—I will still be exposed. So I always try to handle it verbally, unless I can just walk away, but this time I was actually very provoked.
Jomshof has also emphasized that even elected officials must be able to participate in public events without having to risk being subjected to attacks or harassment.
“Wants to punch Jomshof in the mouth”
In connection with the incident, the cartoonist was ejected from the concert by security staff. Jomshof, however, chose not to report the incident to the police on site. The police report was filed later, after it emerged that the two shared mutual acquaintances in the synth community.
Chat records and police interviews in legal documents from the Södertörn District Court also reveal that the 45-year-old cartoonist is known as “Janet” among friends and socializes in circles where several individuals are transgender.
The same court documents also include a chat conversation that is incriminating for the cartoonist. It is a conversation with a mutual acquaintance on the same night, where the cartoonist is said to have written that he “wants to punch Jomshof in the mouth.” He also wrote that he would try to abstain from doing so.
Afraid of being exposed in the newspaper
In interviews with the Security Service, cartoonist Emanu Garnheim denies doing what Jomshof accuses him of. At the same time, he admits he was at the concert and got into a confrontation with the SD politician.
He describes the incident afterward as a “stupid drunken thing.” In the interviews, he also describes himself as “very left-wing,” “socialist,” and “anti-racist.” But he claims he is not politically active, saying that he is “very unorganized.”
Accusation of promoting Islam book
Garnheim also expresses regret that Jomshof has publicly discussed the incident in the media. According to the cartoonist, this risks making him recognizable, as he claims he is easily identifiable as the only cartoonist in the synth scene.
The cartoonist asks Security Service investigators whether it is an offense, or what the press ethics are, regarding describing the incident in such a way, even though Jomshof never mentioned him by name.
Garnehim suspects that Jomshof chose to talk about the event as a way to market his new Islam-critical book, Kafir, and at the same time, as he puts it, “play the victim.”
Meanwhile, the cartoonist, in connection with the incident, sent messages where he himself wrote that he “did such a damn stupid thing yesterday.”
Concern over “Nazi Followers”
Another witness called by the prosecutor describes themselves as a very close friend of the cartoonist suspected of spitting. The witness states that Emanu Garnheim admitted to spitting on Jomshof and later felt anxiety over what had happened.
In the same interview, the suspect’s friend added that he expressed anxiety about Jomshof’s “Nazi followers.”
The friend told police about concerns regarding the consequences of the incident: “He was anxious that exactly what is happening now would happen, but also that Jomshof’s Nazi followers would target Emanu, or attack him,” the friend explained in the interview.
On Tuesday, cartoonist Emanu Garnheim was indicted at Södertörn District Court, suspected of harassing Richard Jomshof. The summons states that the crime was committed against Jomshof because of his duties as a Member of Parliament.
“The Art”
The cartoonist’s art seems centered on portraying right-wing political leaders in a less flattering light. Below is his work “Führer Åkesson,” depicting the SD leader wearing an armband resembling those from Nazi Germany.