Cultural Minister Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth celebrated the Conviction of The Pirate Bay, although the case is still contested. Liljeroth gave a speech at a party with representatives from the media industry and the Swedish Composers of Popular Music (SKAP). The Pirate Party demands that Cultural Minister Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth apologize and take back the statement.
The statement was made despite the fact that the ruling has not become final and that accusations of bias in the courts are currently being investigated. This is one week after US media groups moved to have The Pirate Bay defendants forbidden from talking about the trial.
"It is completely insane that a minister would interfere in a trial. She should apologize to the guys behind The Pirate Bay," says Christian Engström, Vice-President of The Pirate Party of Sweden (Piratpartiet) and a candidate in EU elections.
It is, of course, expected that our representatives accept social invitations from and listen to proposals by lobbyists. However, the way in which Minister Liljeroth has conducted herself in this case is inappropriate. It is a direct interference in an already scandal-ridden trial.
