Sweden: Vandalism of Jewish center not hate crime

Prosecutor says attack with rocks and a firecracker was a ‘derailed prank’

7 March 2013, 6:22 pm

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STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish authorities have dropped an investigation into the vandalism of a Jewish center in the southern city of Malmo, saying it was probably a “derailed prank” rather than a hate crime.

Unknown vandals threw rocks and a firecracker at the Jewish community center on Sept. 28 last year, breaking a window in the entrance door.

No one was injured, but the incident raised concerns about an anti-Semitic motive in a city where Jews have been harassed by Arab immigrants.

Police said the perpetrators could not be identified, but prosecutor Hans Harding on Wednesday said the investigation pointed to “a derailed prank by a group of friends seeking attention.”

Officials at the Jewish center didn’t immediately answer requests for comment.