Lindh, 46, was stabbed several times in the chest, stomach and arms while shopping around 4 p.m. Wednesday at the upscale NK (Nordiska Kompaniet) store.

"I have received with sorrow information that Sweden's Foreign Minister Anna Lindh died this morning at 5.29 a.m. of her wounds," Prime Minister Goeran Persso told a news conference Thursday.

She died after undergoing surgery for more than 10 hours at Karolinska Hospital, Persso said. Lindh had severe internal bleeding, with injuries to her liver and stomach.

Lindh, an outspoken campaigner for Sweden to join the euro in a referendum Sunday, was attacked just blocks from parliament.

Authorities said they did not think the stabbing was politically motivated.

"It feels strange and it's difficult to understand," Persso said, adding that the Scandinavian country's tradition of openness was damaged by the killing.

"The attack against her also hurt the society we've built up and in which we want to live in," he said.

It wasn't known if Sunday's referendum vote on the euro would be delayed.

Jan Larssen, a government spokesman, said late Wednesday the "issue had been raised" but added it would be a "very big, complicated project to move an election day."

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Lindh's death was "a terrible tragedy."

"This is an appalling event. Anna was a good friend of mine," he told reporters Thursday.

"She was someone who was full of life.... She represented everything that was wonderful about Sweden and about Europe."

Police in Sweden said a search was being carried out throughout Stockholm for the alleged attacker. A knife was recovered at the store, AP reported Wednesday.

Hanna Sundberg, who was shopping at the store, said she saw a man chase Lindh up an escalator from the basement.

"She laid on the floor and it looked as if a tall man, wearing a peaked cap, was hitting her," she told AP. "But when he ran away, he threw away a knife."

Sundberg said Lindh told her: "God, he has stabbed me in the stomach!" Then, Sundberg said she saw blood.

Lisa Grensfors, of Swedish television, said Lindh's death was a great shock.

"It will be a long time until Sweden recovers from this. She was very respected," she told CNN.

Like most politicians and officials in Sweden, Lindh traveled without a bodyguard, Grenfors said.

The attack has prompted questions about security.

"Swedish politicians have taken pride in being accessible to the people. She had had a bodyguard at certain times when police thought there was a threat against her," she said.

Lindh, one of the country's most admired politicians and No. 3 in the government, had been mentioned as a possible successor to the prime minister.

A member of the Social Democrats, Lindh had headed the Foreign Ministry since 1998. She was a member of the Riksdag, or parliament, from 1982-85. She was married and had two children.

Sweden, a Scandinavian country of nine million, had a reputation as being relatively safe, although Prime Minister Olof Palme was assassinated in Stockholm in 1986. His attacker has never been caught.

"For the Swedish people it brings back all the old horrible memories of ... Palme. It might mean Swedish politicians need security guards everywhere they go from now on," Reuters quoted Green Party leader Peter Eriksson as saying.

"I sincerely hope it doesn't lead to that."

from CNN.

Thoughts go out to family and friends..
and from a more personal view point
MOTHERFUCKER.. I Hope they catch this guy.. I feel a need for violence.

well at least she wasnt shot cuz then shed REALLY be dead!

This was rather sick really, mum called me and told me to turn on the TV last night while she was still in surgery. Seems rather similar to the whole Palme murder really.

Political angle would be kind of weird though I think, since she was the front person from the Yes movement (Yes to Euro) and the No side is winning from the looks of it.. so not really much use to get rid off her.

Btw that article seems to lack an N in Göran PerssoN constantly, heh.. rather annoying =P

Whats your point? She IS really dead! Read the whole post!

Just one thing:
Sweden, a Scandinavian country of nine million, had a reputation as being relatively safe, although Prime Minister Olof Palme was assassinated in Stockholm in 1986. His attacker has never been caught.
Just because one person gets murdered, Sweden is no more a safe country? It instantly turned into a swamp of terrorists and a generally really dangerous and vile place because one woman got killed?
Once again, jumping on conclusion, once again, the world is just black and white, once again its creating fear. "Omg i wil not go to sweden, its dangerous".


I am sorry about this event. And I understand your anger Hubbe :(

Ironically enough...the Swedish Foreign Minister just got stabbed. How's that for timing.

If someone would have used a gun, she would be dead. what I mean is, they would have used a gun if she were here in the US.

Stabbed!


Giena Mountainstorm
Storm Warden
Ayonae Ro Server
Fellowship of Dragons
The port spells are the purple ones right?


shut the hell up Taino. idiot.

I think the point of that is that they're trying to make up their minds if SÄPO (secret yada yada, like CIA I guess) should put in bodyguards to all our politicians or not. Typically Swedish politicians don't have bodyguards since there's usually no need to.

But this murder and the one of Palme are kind of similar in alot of ways so I guess that the goverment is kind of freaking a bit about it and want more security. Eventhough these two events are what? *counts* 17 years apart it does draw some attention to the matter. Since regularly in other countries politicians that high up in the foodchain have bodyguards.

I don't know if I'm daft but I really don't see the point in your post Giena? She's dead, as dead as it get's - not breathing. Are you trying to prove some manly point about gun being faster or something?

//Izola

*makes airplane noise and waves hand over hs head*

/sigh

Ironically enough...the Swedish Foreign Minister just got stabbed.

You dont say.. I had no idea.. thanks for bringing this info up, because its new to this thread..

Thank you KMA for doing the cut and paste jobo on a post of mine from another thread. Use your own material if you don't mind.

FYI to all you Euros, nah, to you Swedes, very sorry to hear that she died. It's a shame really. I read up on her, and despite some glaring differences in our politiks, she seemed to be a good person.

I heard she interrupted a meeting with the italian foreign minister to take a call from her son who thought he had locked him self out of his house.. I think this was mentioned in that british guys (whos name elludes me atm, jack something) speech.. Gotta respect that =)

Sorry that I was right ;( (really..)

right about what Darus?

Jack Straw? (no. not the one from Witchitaw (sp) :p )

Just because one person gets murdered, Sweden is no more a safe country?

No, but I think most people can recognize the difference between the security issues raised by the murder of an average citizen and security issues raised by the murder of a high level government official.

My condolences to her family and the people of Sweden. I hope the perp is caught soon and brought to justice. I do hope it turns out he is just a whacko and it was not a political assassination of any sort since that would imply others are involved.

Politicians have always been targets for a variety of reasons. I hope that steps are taken to protect others in Sweden as soon as possible. It is unfortunate that it is necessary, but it seems to be a fact of life.

sorry i didnt mean to confuse some of you. i was illustrating a point i had made in another thread.

hi hi giena!

big smile! BIIIIIG SMILE!

/sigh

I have been quite depressed for the last few days.
This issue pisses me off bigtime.

She was one of our by far best top politicians, and with best I don't just mean skilled. Today, everyone agree that she was a good person.

However, just a few days ago the anti-Europe movement was busy villifying her as a traitor and generally evil person. Hell, anyone who likes EU is a evil person who go out of her way to hurt normal honest people. According to the anti-Euro assholes, I mean. There have been reasonable arguments on the "no" side as well, but way too much have been pure hatred.

If the "no" side win this referendum, I dunno if I want to keep living in this country anymore. It have shamed itself.

The outcome of the election should not have a different result upon the nation due to this tragic event.

If the no side win, in no way has this "country shamed itself", it will be a democratic decision made by votes.. Nothing more and nothing less.

Has any progress been made in finding her killer?

nothings been announced..

But knowing the swedish security police's excelent record in solving political assassinations..

The shame was allready there before the murder happened.

While there was bullshit promises and scares on both sides (yes, I'm still pissed at our prime minister, he SO botched this campaign), I guess we'll have to accept that.

However, some groups was so fucking far out of line without anyone bothering about it until recently. The reactions started coming a few days before the murder, but it had really gone way too far by then.

/sigh

Anyway. Of course the voting shouldn't be changed by the murder. It really makes the referendum a lose-lose scenario. A "no" will strengthen the extremists directly, giving the extremists a excuse to claim that the people is on their side. A "no" will make them cry foul, claiming to have been robbed on their rightful victory by neglect to delay the voting or even by conspiracy. I'm betting that the same nazis that now proclaim "traitor stabbed" on their newssite will soon start giving hints that the murder was actually ordered by European Union and the jews that control it. Or somesuch.

All in all, this murder was disgustingly perfect for the antidemocratical forces.

It's really ironic that the "no"-movement had the [insert insult here] to claim that they are defending democracy and that Anna Lindh was trying to sell us out. On swedish boards I now hear these same assholes whine about the fact that the public consider this murder to be a bad thing and worth noticing. they sure as hell don't know what democracy is.

I hope that the united democratic Europe Anna fought for will come true, and I wish she could live to see it.

Just a few disclaimers...

First of all, yes, I know I'm a sentimental fool these days. But I prefer to write what I think and feel rather then trying to play detatched.

Second, when I'm talking about the "no"-side that have gone too far, of course I'm not talking about everyone who are convinced that Kronor is preferable over Euro. Much less aout everyone who votes no without being totally convinced.

********

I'm talking about the nazis, rightwing "nationalists" and communists that have gotten wat too much air under their wings lately.

I'm talking about the organisation "Nej till EMU" (No to EMU) that invited the organisations "Communist Party Marxist Leninist Revolutionaries" and "Revolutionary Communist Youth". (Yes, that's their actual names, and ressurecting the soviet union is their official agenda, complete with murdering all non communist politicians.)

I'm talking about hatemongering propaganda from organisations that ought to know better. Especially the green party. Their main propaganda campaign wasn't about arguments and reasons at all, it was all about trying to make people feel that everyone on the "yes" side is a firm proponent of mass murder.

And I'm tired of talking. Your probably tied of me as well by now. Good night.

Headlines in the US are saying a suspect has been arrested for her murder. Is there any further information?

They arrested a 35 year old guy.
Hes got previous convictions, violent felonies, drugs convictions.

Not much concrete info out yet.

I sometimes look at the politics in situations like this and I'm glad I only have to deal with loser Republican vs. loser Democrat. I remember a few years ago reading about an extreme right wing party that was gaining power in Germany and had gotten a few parliament (or whatever it's called) seats.

People have enough going on this their lives; they shouldn't need to worry about stuff like that.

I dont see why political groups with support by the general populance shouldnt be allowed seats if they have the votes to support it. I dispise strong right wing parties but I also view them as a necessary evil.

I dont see the relevance tho.. But Id be happy to explain my views in greater depths should you wish to start a seperate thread on the issue =)

Not exactly sure what you mean Mirdorr, Sweden is almost completely devoid of political diversity. All the parties in parliament are to some extent socialistically liberal.

To make a cool ascii attempt:

Left................middle.............right
---------------|Sweden|------------

It's amusing listening to swedes piss and moan about our "capitalists" or "communists" when in fact, if you look across the globe, they're all on the same side of the pond.

Edeina made a comment about rightwing nationalists, I made a comment on that.