Police Detain Alt-Media Journalists During NATO Meeting

At the end of last week, NATO held a meeting for the alliance’s foreign ministers in Helsingborg. During the days of the meeting, the city was marked by a massive security operation with patrolling police, extensive cordons, snipers, helicopters, and drones over central parts of the city. When journalists Tor-Björn and Tyr Änglasjö from the alternative outlet Frihetsnytt were on site to report on the summit, the police executed a forceful intervention. The journalists were checked by an aggressive police patrol, forced to the ground, had their equipment confiscated, and were placed in police vans before being driven away from the area—an action reminiscent of the way journalists are treated in more authoritarian states. Scroll down for video.

The NATO meeting in Helsingborg took place on May 21–22, and the reporters had barely begun their work in the city, equipped with cameras to provide an alternative and uncensored perspective alongside the establishment media’s reporting on the military alliance.

The issue is highly topical and increasingly affects the Swedish public as NATO gains far-reaching powers and Sweden’s support for Ukraine has now surpassed 128 billion kronor in various forms of aid.

Journalists Tor-Björn and Tyr Änglasjö repeatedly tried to get answers from the police as to why they were being checked and why they were not allowed to be there and film, but none of the officers provided an answer as to what was supposedly not allowed. Instead, they began repeating different sections of police law as justification for the intervention.

WATCH VIDEO: Reporter Tackled by Police After Filming Intervention

During the check, one of the officers stated that the journalists were stopped and checked because they belonged to “the organization Frihetsnytt”—an alternative media outlet with a publishing certificate and therefore constitutionally protected journalistic operations.

The Helsingborg Police Authority, operating under Region South, could not accept the presence of critical journalists. They were apprehended and removed from the city.

During the police intervention, the reporters were forced to the ground while their equipment was seized by the officers. When the journalists attempted to find out why the intervention was being carried out, they reportedly faced aggressive treatment. Police are also said to have attempted to turn off their cameras during the incident.

There are no reports of similar interventions against journalists from state and establishment media, who also covered the NATO meeting both within and outside the area.

During the police operation, the reporters were forced to the ground as the police took their equipment. The journalists appealed for answers as to why the intervention was carried out, but according to reports, they only faced aggressive treatment. At the same time, the officers also attempted to turn off their cameras.

Proceedings Against the Police Authority

Following the incident, Tor-Björn Änglasjö and Frihetsnytt have announced that they will initiate legal proceedings against the Police Authority for their actions. More information can be found in the report below.

Samnytt is seeking comment from the Police Authority to ask about their actions toward the journalists.