Swedish MEP files police complaint accusing Danish colleague of racist hate speech

Abir Al-Sahlani addressing the European parliament last year. Her complaint relates to the aftermath of chants in the parliament of ‘send them back’. Photograph: Martin Bertrand/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Abir Al-Sahlani addressing the European parliament last year. Her complaint relates to the aftermath of chants in the parliament of ‘send them back’. Photograph: Martin Bertrand/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images Swedish MEP files police complaint accusing Danish colleague of racist hate speech Abir Al-Sahlani targeted on social media after condemning anti-immigration chants in European parliament A Swedish MEP has filed a police complaint accusing a fellow MEP of racist hate speech after she was targeted on social media over her condemnation of far-right, anti-immigration chants in the European parliament. The complaint, which was filed last week with police in Sweden, relates to the aftermath last month of the decision by some rightwing MEPs to erupt in chants of “send them back” following a vote aimed at increasing deportations across the EU. Soon afterwards, Abir Al-Sahlani, an Iraqi-born Swedish MEP with the Centre party, addressed the hemicycle, accusing the “fascists of the far right” of sinking to a “new low” with their chants. “I have never felt as unsafe in this parliament,” she told the chamber. “The shouting of the far right was not against a political opponent, it was ‘send them back’. It was about ordinary people who did no other ‘crime’ than looking for a better life in Europe.” As her comments made the rounds on social media, two MEPs from rightwing populist parties shot back at her online. “Cry more,” wrote the Finnish MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen, of the Finns party, in response to a clip of Al-Sahlani addressing parliament, while the Danish MP Kristoffer Storm, of the Denmark Democrats, said she “should go home”. On Wednesday, Al-Sahlani said she had filed a police complaint against Storm, accusing him of using racist speech as well as hate speech against her. Her complaint had only focused on the Danish MEP, she said, as Swedish police were unsure of how to handle Tynkkynen’s social media post. Both men have denied the accusations against them. 0:48 Rightwing MEPs chant ‘send them back’ after controversial deportation plans are passed – video The confrontation hints at the deep divisions that course through the European parliament, where far-right and rightwing populist MEPs now make up about a quarter of lawmakers – a record for the chamber – while people from minority ethnic backgrounds remain drastically underrepresented. Speaking to the Guardian days after she was targeted online, Al-Sahlani said she still was not quite sure what to make of it all. “I don’t know if I am disappointed or sad,” she said. “I feel sadness for European democracy, like, really, this is the level of our politicians? But also disappointed because, really, c’mon guys. I’m your colleague.” The comments by the rightwing lawmakers prompt