Footage of pregnant woman being dragged off train sparks fury across Sweden
Popular blogger Lovette Jallow claims incident is example of Swedes of African origin are being ‘racially profiled and mistreated’
Video footage of a heavily pregnant woman being dragged off a train by security guards has sparked fury in Sweden.
The 30-year-old Bame woman, who is eight months pregnant, can be seen being hauled off a train before she is held face down on a bench while she screams.
She is said to have been travelling with her five-year-old daughter, who can be heard crying loudly in the video as she is taken to one side by another security guard.
Two security guards are reported to have been suspended following the incident at Hötorget metro station, in Stockholm, on Thursday evening.
Officials say the woman was caught travelling without a ticket.
However the mother, who was on her way to hospital at the time because she had pregnancy pains, told Swedish broadcaster SVT that she did have a travel card with her but couldn’t find it.
She was taken to hospital following the incident but returned home the following day.
Police are said to be investigating reports of misconduct against the security guards involved, as well as reports of “violent resistance” against the woman, according to SVT.
Transport councillor Kristoffer Tamsons said the incident was “unacceptable” and that he had contacted transport company SL.
It is understood SL has also launched an internal investigation into the incident.
Blogger Lovette Jallow said the incident was an example of Swedes of African origin “are racially profiled and mistreated” and that it “shouldn’t surprise anyone even if the victim is pregnant”.
In a statement to the BBC, SL said the incident was being investigated thoroughly but that its security officers were entitled to “reject or apprehend persons who are disturbing the order”.
“What we do know is that the woman was caught without a valid ticket in a ticket check and was given a penalty fare,” a spokesman said.
“She refused this and therefore she, according to our rules, was asked to leave the subway.
“She refused this too and when she was going to be escorted from the subway by our public security officers she started to scream and make resistance.”