Swedish politician under fire after insulting Muslims

By Atila Altuntas

STOCKHOLM (AA) - A Swedish politician is under fire after denying the humanity of Muslims, local media reported on Sunday.

“Muslims are not completely human,” Martin Strid, a board member for the Sweden Democrats, said on the “Forum” program on Swedish state television SVT.

Some prominent Swedish politicians took exception to his remarks.

Liberal Party leader Jan Bjorklund blasted Martin, describing his remarks as “racist”.

On Twitter, Annie Loof, leader of the Center Party, also criticized the comments as “racism”.

Jonas Sjostedt, leader of the Left Party, also branded the remarks “raw racism”.

Meanwhile, a group of Muslims in the eastern city of Norrkoping filed a criminal complaint against Strid, accusing him of “spreading hatred”.

The Sweden Democrats have 49 seats in the nation's 349-seat parliament.