Norwegian politicians face surge in online harassment and threats

Norwegian politicians are facing a surge of extreme online harassment and threats. AUF leader Gaute Skjervø has been the target of over 30,000 social media messages during the spring, many of which contained violent rhetoric.

Reports indicate that approximately 40 percent of Norwegian politicians have experienced direct or indirect threats or other serious incidents. While the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) investigated reports related to the messages sent to Skjervø, the case was subsequently dismissed. This decision highlights the high legal threshold for prosecuting hate speech against public figures, as criticism of those in power is heavily protected by freedom of speech laws.