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Local Sweden
15-02-2025
- Local Sweden
Sweden's immigrants on edge after mass shooting
On February 4th, 35-year-old Rickard Andersson entered the Campus Risbergska adult education centre in Orebro and killed 10 people before turning his gun on himself. Police have not publicly named the victims but their foreign backgrounds soon came to light when their names and photos were published in Swedish newspapers and on social media. Salim Iskef, a 28-year-old Syrian nursing assistant who came to Sweden in 2015. Niloofar Dehbaneh, 46, an Iranian nursing assistant living in Sweden since 2011. Elsa Teklay, a 32-year-old nursing assistant who arrived in 2015 from Eritrea. Bassam Al Sheleh, a 48-year-old baker who left Lebanon nine years ago. Ali Mohammed Jafari, 31. Kamar, 38, who fled Somalia's civil war 17 years ago. Aziza, a 68-year-old Kurd, who taught math at Campus Risbergska. Three other women have not been identified in the media. One of them, a 55-year-old, was of Bosnian origin. 'Just students' Mirna Issa, 31, was in the middle of a Swedish language class for foreigners at Risbergska when the first gunshots rang out around midday. "Why? We're just students. Students don't do anything" bad, she told AFP the day after the shooting, as she, her husband and daughter lay down flowers near the school. Campus Risbergska offers Swedish classes for foreigners as well as secondary school classes for adults. Margaretha, a 68-year-old pensioner in Orebro, also spoke to AFP as she paid her respects to the victims three days after the shooting. As soon as she heard about the attack, she immediately thought racism could be behind it. "There are a lot of immigrants who come here to learn Swedish or learn a trade. It's really terrible. There are no words," she said, her eyes hidden behind sunglasses. Police have remained tight-lipped about the killer's possible motive. The day after the tragedy, police said there was no indication of an "ideological motive" before apologising for the "unfortunate phrasing". They said a racist motive was one of several being investigated. "That has been the case since we understood who the victims were. We have included the ethnicity criteria in our investigation," deputy police chief Niclas Hallgren told public broadcaster SVT. "What we have said is that we haven't found any other elements indicating that there was an ideological motive but we are keeping that possibility open," he said. 'Particular vulnerability' Annie Boroian, a social worker who has been active in anti-racism work for several years, said she has noticed an increase in concern among foreigners in Sweden since the tragedy. "Many feel a sense of exclusion" from society, she told AFP. "There's a lot of prejudice. Many have experienced racism," she said. "They're often blamed for the rising crime" by the country's right-wing government, backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats, Boroian said. Sweden's political leaders and royal couple visited Orebro the day after the shooting. During a visit by opposition leader Magdalena Andersson, whose Social Democrats have also called for a sharp reduction in immigration, a woman in the crowd was caught on camera shouting out: "Speak about us -- the immigrants -- in positive terms!" In an address to the nation on Sunday, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he understood the concern felt by "people of foreign background who say they feel a particular vulnerability". The victims "came from different places in the world and had different dreams", he said. "They were at school to lay the foundation for a future that has now been taken from them." Police have said their investigation could take up to a year and the killer's motive may never be established. Andersson had been enrolled at Campus Risbergska in the past but not attended classes since 2021. Police have described him as an unemployed recluse with no prior criminal record, who had a hunting licence for four guns. He had lived alone in an apartment since 2016, "with very few contacts with other people", leaving few traces behind, even online.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sweden's immigrants on edge after mass shooting
The motive behind Sweden's deadliest mass shooting may never be known but the fact that almost all of the victims had foreign backgrounds has sparked concern among the country's immigrants. On February 4, 35-year-old Rickard Andersson entered the Campus Risbergska adult education centre in Orebro and killed 10 people before turning his gun on himself. Police have not publicly named the victims but their foreign backgrounds soon came to light when their names and photos were published in Swedish newspapers and on social media. Salim Iskef, a 28-year-old Syrian nursing assistant who came to Sweden in 2015. Niloofar Dehbaneh, 46, an Iranian nursing assistant living in Sweden since 2011. Elsa Teklay, a 32-year-old nursing assistant who arrived in 2015 from Eritrea. Bassam Al Sheleh, a 48-year-old baker who left Lebanon nine years ago. Ali Mohammed Jafari, 31. Kamar, 38, who fled Somalia's civil war 17 years ago. Aziza, a 68-year-old Kurd, who taught math at Campus Risbergska. Three other women have not been identified in the media. One of them, a 55-year-old, was of Bosnian origin. - 'Just students'- Mirna Issa, 31, was in the middle of a Swedish language class for foreigners at Risbergska when the first gunshots rang out around midday. "Why? We're just students. Students don't do anything" bad, she told AFP the day after the shooting, as she, her husband and daughter lay down flowers near the school. Campus Risbergska offers Swedish classes for foreigners as well as secondary school classes for adults. Margaretha, a 68-year-old pensioner in Orebro, also spoke to AFP as she paid her respects to the victims three days after the shooting. As soon as she heard about the attack, she immediately thought racism could be behind it. "There are a lot of immigrants who come here to learn Swedish or learn a trade. It's really terrible. There are no words," she said, her eyes hidden behind sunglasses. Police have remained tight-lipped about the killer's possible motive. The day after the tragedy, police said there was no indication of an "ideological motive" before apologising for the "unfortunate phrasing". They said a racist motive was one of several being investigated. "That has been the case since we understood who the victims were. We have included the ethnicity criteria in our investigation," deputy police chief Niclas Hallgren told public broadcaster SVT. "What we have said is that we haven't found any other elements indicating that there was an ideological motive but we are keeping that possibility open," he said. - 'Particular vulnerability' - Annie Boroian, a social worker who has been active in anti-racism work for several years, said she has noticed an increase in concern among foreigners in Sweden since the tragedy. "Many feel a sense of exclusion" from society, she told AFP. "There's a lot of prejudice. Many have experienced racism," she said. "They're often blamed for the rising crime" by the country's right-wing government, backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats, Boroian said. Sweden's political leaders and royal couple visited Orebro the day after the shooting. During a visit by opposition leader Magdalena Andersson, whose Social Democrats have also called for a sharp reduction in immigration, a woman in the crowd was caught on camera shouting out: "Speak about us -- the immigrants -- in positive terms!" In an address to the nation on Sunday, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he understood the concern felt by "people of foreign background who say they feel a particular vulnerability". The victims "came from different places in the world and had different dreams", he said. "They were at school to lay the foundation for a future that has now been taken from them." Police have said their investigation could take up to a year and the killer's motive may never be established. Andersson had been enrolled at Campus Risbergska in the past but not attended classes since 2021. Police have described him as an unemployed recluse with no prior criminal record, who had a hunting licence for four guns. He had lived alone in an apartment since 2016, "with very few contacts with other people", leaving few traces behind, even online. nzg/ef/po/gil
The Independent
07-02-2025
- The Independent
Sweden school shooting latest: Victims expected to be named as government backs tightening gun laws
'There were bloodstains, puddles and drops everywhere' - witness account Maria Lahdo, a survivor of the gun massacre, described the 'bloodbath' when she stepped out of her hiding place to be escorted out by police. Hidden with others inside a classrooms, she recalls comforting each other and phoning worried relatives as gun shots rang out in the school. 'We heard two shots, when the third came we realized something was wrong,' Ms Lahdo told Expressen. 'Another person in the room froze in shock in the doorway... I had to pull the person into the room and quickly lock it. 'There was someone in the hallway who suddenly started pulling the door handle. It must have been him trying to get in. Several people had panic attacks, it was terrible.' When police arrived and they were escorted out of the room, they were warned that there would be blood. 'But you really didn't understand it until you saw it with your own eyes,' she said. 'There were bloodstains, puddles and drops everywhere. You could see that people had been dragged in that blood. And we stepped in the blood when we ran out.' Alex Croft7 February 2025 15:23 Watch: Swedish King says Sweden is 'standing behind' families of school shooting victims Alex Croft7 February 2025 14:54 Victim Salim Iskef's friend tells of love for man who was like his brother The close friend of the 29-year-old who has been identified as among those shot dead in the horror attack has told local media of his love for a man who was like his brother. Jonatan Suaw, 29, said Salim Iskef, 29, who was named in local reports as among the victims of the school shooting in Sweden, told Swedish publication Expressen: 'I loved him.' Mr Suaw said he had been invited to Mr Iskef's upcoming wedding and had held his niece when she first first born. Mr Suaw told the newspaper the pair were like brothers and that he now wants to live as Mr Iskef would live if he was still alive, always trying to do his best and being a good person. Alex Croft7 February 2025 14:31 Final heartbreaking phone call school shooting victim made to mother during attack revealed The final heartbreaking phone call one of the Swedish school shooting victims made to his mother during the attack has been revealed. Salim Iskef, 29, reportedly called his fiancée then his mother from inside Risbergska School just before he was shot dead in the horror that unfolded there. In what were among his last words, Mr Iskef's aunt Nadia Reeb told Aftonbladet that the 29-year-old told his mother: 'Mom, take care of yourself and take care of my girl too.' Alex Croft7 February 2025 14:10 In pictures: Mourners pay their respects Alex Croft7 February 2025 13:48 Saudi leaders extend condolences to Sweden's king after school shooting Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud offered condolences to Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf after 10 people were killed in one of the worst shooting incidents in the country. Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud condemned "this criminal act, and extended his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy" to the Swedish king, families of the deceased and friendly people of Sweden, a statement read. Alex Croft7 February 2025 13:29 Sombre scenes as Swedish royals and Prime Minister visit school shooting scene Alex Croft7 February 2025 13:10 Elon Musk slammed for sharing lies about the response to Sweden school shooting Elon Musk has been condemned for sharing lies about the global response to the Sweden school massacre. Rickard Andersson, a 35-year-old recluse, has been named in Swedish media as the suspected gunman who killed 10 people at Risbergska School in Örebro, before turning the gun on himself. But as well-wishers paid their respects to the victims of the massacre online, X owner and member of the Trump administration Musk promoted a false claim that 'no European politician' had mentioned the massacre. Posted by right wing account Inevitable West, the tweet also falsely claimed the 'legacy media, as always, is silent', despite widespread coverage of the tragedy in newspapers and on television around the world. Alex Croft7 February 2025 12:50 'You should leave Europe' heard in victim's footage A video published by TV4 shows a victim hiding in the bathroom while the Örebro shooter appears to be firing bullets outside. At one point, someone can be heard shouting 'you should leave Europe', according to audio analysis by the Swedish broadcaster. It is unclear who shouts the phrase. Police say the motive behind the crime is still being investigated. Hashem Shams, who recorded and published the video, said in an Instagram story on Tuesday: 'I was there, and I cannot understand what happened. I am grateful to be alive, but my thoughts go out above all to those who did not, to those who were injured and to all the relatives who have lost someone they love. 'No one should have to experience something like this. I feel sadness, shock and a great powerlessness, but I also want to express my sympathy and support to all those affected.' Alex Croft7 February 2025 12:27 Syrian refugee among shooting victims is described as a 'hero' A Syrian refugeee who was named as among those shot dead in the school shooting in Sweden has been described as a 'hero'. Jonatan Suaw, 29, told local media Salim Iskef, 29, who was named in Swedish reports as among the victims of the horror attack, had been working as his personal assistant for a year while he studied to become a nurse. Speaking at a memorial site outside Risbergska School, Mr Suaw, who is unable to walk, said Mr Iskef would carry him when he has been unable to move.
Local Sweden
06-02-2025
- Local Sweden
What do we know about the victims of the Örebro campus attack?
The Syrian embassy said in a Facebook post late on Wednesday that there had been more than one victim from Syria. In the post, it expressed "its condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, among them dear Syrian citizens". Bojan Sosic, the Bosnian ambassador to Sweden, told the Expressen newspaper on Thursday morning that two of the victims had been Bosnian, one of whom had died and the other of whom was seriously injured. Salim Iskef So far the only known victim is Salim Iskef, although this has not been confirmed by the police. The Local spoke to his sister, who confirmed that he had died in the attack. According to the AlKompis news site, Iskef, 29, had fled to Sweden from Aleppo during the Syrian civil war in 2015. Although he had trained as a computer engineer in Syria, in Sweden he was employed as a care worker helping the elderly and disabled. He had been training at the college to be a healthcare worker. According to SVT, Iskef had planned to marry his fiancée on July 25th, the venue had been booked and his girlfriend had tried on wedding dresses. Jonatan Suaw, 29, a disabled man who Iskef helped as an assistant in 2023, told Expressen that the two had become close friends. Iskef, he said, was a Christian and a regular churchgoer whose dream had been to visit St Peter's Basilica in Rome. Members of the Kommunal union Britt-Marie Balaj, chair of the careworker division at the local branch of the Kommunal union, said that at least two members of her union had lost their lives in the attack. "Several of our members didn't come to work," she said, saying that they had been people who worked in elderly care or as assistant nurses and who were studying at the college to improve their qualifications. "We know that they're missing and the uncertainty is terrible." Susanne Hammarström, who represents the union's technical and education division, said that her branch also had members missing. "This is about people who were employed at the school as, for example, translators, cooks, janitors and the like." Adnan Imsirovic According to the broadcaster SVT, one of the wounded Bosnians was Adnan Imsirovic a caretaker, who was shot in the shoulder as he ran to help a woman who had been shot. He has so far had two operations and is still being treated in hospital.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Swedish school mass killing victims included Syrians and a Bosnian
Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Syrian and Bosnian embassies confirmed Thursday that people from their countries were among the 10 people killed in Sweden's Tuesday Risbergska School shooting. Syria's Stockholm Embassy confirmed on its Facebook page that its citizens were among the dead as it condemned the attack and extended condolences to families of the victims. Bosnia's Foreign Ministry confirmed on X that a Bosnian citizen is among the dead. According to police lead investigator Anna Bergqvist people from several countries, different genders and different ages were among those killed. Responding to reporter questions, she said police are looking into whether the attack was motivated by racism. Swedish media Wednesday identified Syrian orthodox Christian Salim Iskef, 29, as one of the victims. Police have not released the identities and nationalities of all the victims. Nor have they yet officially designated Rickard Andersson as the mass murder suspect, although investigators believe he did it. Bergqvist said the suspected mass shooter killed himself. Bosnian Ambassador to Sweden Bojan Sosic told the BBC, "I find it odd, to say the least, that the police chose to withhold information that pertains to foreign citizens, from respective embassies." The Risbergska school where the shooting happened offers Swedish classes for immigrants in addition to adult education for people who didn't graduate school.
