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On Saturday it was time for the last day of Pride Week in Askersund. At 11 am the work of art “Our city our society” was inaugurated, which dressed the city’s water tower in the Pride suit.
But when the organizers I arrived at the venue in the morning to set the stage, the day took a turn.
– Oil, sawdust and a bag of ropes were poured in front of the door. Then we made the decision to call the police, says Malin Blomqvist, the artist behind the work.
Police called the national bomb squad, which arrived at the scene at 2 pm to investigate the object. The authority does not want to confirm or deny the information about what the object looked like in reference to the secret of the preliminary investigation.
After a shot was fired at the object, the bomb squad was able to establish that the potential bomb consisted only of an empty box.
– If you have a great distance to the subject and no people are nearby, shots are a good method to determine what the subject is about. If a bomb explodes in such a situation, no one will be harmed, says Stefan Wickberg.
Police barricade at the water tower.
Photo: Jeppe Gustafsson / TT
After the discovery has The area was cordoned off and rescue services and an ambulance were summoned to the scene, which is now being investigated for clues.
Police are investigating a possible connection between the Pride event and the object.
– I am confused, shocked, angry and disappointed. For me, this is joy and love. It is a community and something nice. I don’t understand why anyone wants to plant a bomb here, says Malin Blomqvist.
Malin Blomqvist says she previously reported threats to the police in connection with Pride Week.
– It was both by email and directly to me. Last week we had a small event when we went with the flag to the water tower. Then it was the people who came up and explained what they thought I had caused Askersund, she says.
According to Stefan Wickberg, the incident still lacks a criminal classification.
– Right now it is safety that we focus on, he says.
He does not rule out that the incident is investigated as a hate crime.
– It is very possible. It is an assessment that the person in charge of the preliminary investigation or the prosecutor can decide on the basis of what we obtain.
For the police operation He had Saturday’s event moved to the town square. Malin Blomqvist estimates that up to 50 people participated.
– We have had our festivities and we have talked about these issues. This only strengthens commitment, he says.
