In September 2020, Rasmus Paludan and the right-wing extremist party Stram Kurs applied for permission to carry out Koran burning in the Stockholm towns of Rinkeby, Fittja, Husby, Tensta and Sollentuna.
All areas are on the police's list of vulnerable areas.
The police chose to reject Paludan's request with reference to the Public Order Act and the form of government.
According to the police, there must have been a high threat to order and security.
In documents that SVT has read, the police write:
"The situation of conflict and violence in several of the suburbs mentioned in the application is very high and information about the demonstration is widespread to the public and in some environments violence is advocated."
The decision also leans towards the fact that at that time during the pandemic no more than 50 people were allowed to gather.
"Very specific notification"
Just weeks earlier, Paludan had been refused a demonstration in Malmö with a similar motivation.
According to Malmö's police chief Petra Stenkula, there were serious threats that led them to reject his request.
- It was very specific information we received then, about what would happen against the general meeting.
That is why we announced a rejection decision, she says.
The documents also state that Paludan stated to the police that he had been subjected to several death threats before the burning of the Koran.
Despite rejections, Koran burnings were carried out in both Rinkeby and Malmö.
Violent riots later broke out.
Therefore, the manifestation of 2022 was allowed
Prior to the Easter weekend's demonstration in Malmö, the Skåne Police had no information about specific threats against the meeting.
Therefore, the decision was made to continue allowing the demonstration - despite the violent riots of previous days.
Instead, the police chose to use the less restrictive measure to move the meeting to another location.
- Now the violent riot arose anyway.
It is clear that one can discuss in retrospect whether we should have canceled it completely, says Petra Stenkula.
But whether a demonstration is licensed or not, unrest can still arise, Petra Stenkula points out, referring to the riots in 2020.
Takes height for new unrest
Paludan stated earlier this week that he intends to hold new demonstrations.
Whether the permit applications will be approved again or not, the police do not want to say at present.
But according to Petra Stenkula, they must take into account new riots.
- We must be prepared for that.
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Watch the video for a background on Rasmus Paludan, party leader for the right-wing extremist Tight Course.
Photo: TT