By Mark Baber
March 12 – Swedish police have confirmed that three men, charged with attempted murder after an apparently pre-meditated attack on a group returning from a Reclaim the Night International Women’s Day event in the early hours of Sunday morning, are known Nazis belonging to the Senskarnas Parti (Swedes Party).
One of those attacked, prominent Malmö FF supporter Showan Shattak, one of the founders of Football Against Homophobia, is in a critical but stable condition, under sedation in a hospital in Lund, with head injuries. Three other people received stab wounds to the arms and lungs but have been released from hospital.
News of the attack spread quickly and solidarity demonstrations have been held throughout Sweden with online support mobilised using the slogan and hashtag ‘Kämpa Showan’ (“Fight Showan”). The Malmö FF team gathered in front of a ‘Kämpa Showan’ mural before training and a demonstration of support is planned prior to Malmö’s next game against Hammarby IF on Saturday. Messages of support have come into the Malmö Ultras Facebook page from clubs and fan groups throughout Europe and from as far afield as Sao Paolo.
The Swedish Prime Minister issued a statement saying: “Incidents of nazism and racism besmirch much of what people think is good about Sweden. It is now important that those who have used violence are brought to justice.”
One of the alleged perpetrators has been identified as Andreas Karlsson, a well-known member of the Swedes Party who has organised ‘Family Days’ to which only white children are welcome.
The stabbings have stirred up particular controversy in Sweden as Karlsson recently returned from Kiev where he was a “Ukraine Volunteer” for the far-right Svoboda Party.
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