Sami activist arrested
As many of you may be aware of, Olaf Johansson, Sami activist, TRN IRG member was arrested yesterday, 25 March upon his return from the tour of Europe calling attention to the Sami winter reindeer grazing rights issue. (see http://www.sll.fi/TRN/feature/reindeer/index.html).
Nanna Borchert, information coordinator for the Sami land rights project, was with Olaf at the time of his arrest and her computer was taken by the police. Olaf was arrested upon suspicion of being involved in an attempt to blow up a major 400 kilowatt power line. It was decide by the court today that he will be held for the next two weeks during the investigation.
The following is a call for reaction to the arrest sent out by the Fourth World Association in Sweden.
We will keep you updated on this situation.
Sarah Lloyd
Taiga Rescue Network
Box 116
S-962 23 Jokkmokk
Sweden
Tel: +46-(0)971-17039
Fax: +46-(0)971-12057
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.sll.fi/TRN
Backgroundinformation:
Yesterday, the 25 of march a member of the Swedish Sámiparliment, Olof T Johansson from Tossasens sámivillage, was taken into custudy by the police for interrogation. Olof T Johansson was arrested by preliminary investigator, district attorney Sune Andersson at Oestersunds Office of Public the Prosecutor. He has been taken into custody on suspicion for sabotaging the power-line poles in autumn of 1998. In charge of the police is Stephen Jerand.
Fax number to mr Sune Andersson and his office Aklagarkammaren in Oestersund: +46 (0) 63 51 12 99
Faxnumber to policeofficer in charge Stephen Jerand in Oestersund: +46 (0) 63 10 09 65
We have with great dismay received the information that on Sámiparliment member, mr Olof T Johansson, was taken into custudy yesterday Thursday the 25 of March on suspicion for cunducting the blasting on power-line poles last autumn. He himself denies all participating in that deed . After he was taken away by the police the whole police force examined his apartment in Oestersund and confiscated his computer and other things. As long as there no substancial proofs for his participating in such an act, it appears quite unresonable that a member of the Sámiparliment is treated this way.
We demand