Swedish artist gets rare prison term for exhibiting works denigrating blacks, Roma
STOCKHOLM – A Swedish artist has been sentenced to six months in prison for works that a court said depicted Gypsies and blacks in a racist manner.
Dan Park was convicted Thursday of defamation and inciting hatred against an ethnic group.
The case focused on nine framed posters by Park that were seized from an art gallery in the city of Malmo in July.
One depicted three black men with nooses around their necks. Another showed Roma community leaders with a text suggesting they condoned crime.
It’s highly unusual for Swedish courts to hand out prison terms for art works. Park, who has several similar convictions, said his works were satirical and claimed the right to freedom of speech.
The gallery’s owner received a conditional sentence and fines of 7,500 kronor ($1,100).
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