The aftermath of a controversial debate-reality programme from TV 2 continues.
Two weeks ago, the station aired the second episode of the second season of Højskolen. This is a programme that brings Danish debaters together to discuss controversial topics over 24 hours.
In this episode, ten debaters were brought in to discuss what it means to be Danish and the general integration. Much of the episode ended up being about Islam.
One participant has since reported the other to the police for violence. Now she’s being counter-reported for false accusations.
Kjærsgaard v. al-Jabouri
The episode ended with a very tense scene that saw Pia Kjærsgaard, founder of the national conservative Danish People’s Party (Dansk Folkeparti), accuse another participant of supporting terrorism.
The accused was Afrah al-Jabouri, a Danish influencer who creates content on Islam and being a Muslim in Denmark.
Kjærsgaard had brought with her screenshots that appeared to show al-Jabouri performing a TikTok dance to the text “Are you a terrorist? Yes”.
Al-Jabouri has insisted these were forgeries; however, TV 2 have since found others who had screenshots of the now-removed post.
Other news media, including The Danish Dispatch, have found content created and shared by al-Jabouri that praises Iran and Ayatollah Khamenei as well as suggesting Satan was responsible for the pride flag.
Pushed four times
Following the release of the episode, al-Jabouri has accused Kjærsgaard of subjecting her to physical violence during the shoot.
Al-Jabouri has reported Kjærsgaard to the police for the alleged incidents as well as for the much-discussed screenshots.
In a statement to TV 2 from last week, she said, “She pushed me a full four times. Someone saw it. I also think it was filmed, but I don’t know if the production company is trying to cover for her, because it was pretty clear that she pushed me.”
Kjærsgaard denied the allegations last week, telling TV 2 that “She’s not right in the head, it’s completely insane.”
BBC Studios Nordic Productions, who produced the programme for TV 2, also denied having witnessed any pushes or violence. No other participants have confirmed witnessing any such episodes.
“Enough is enough”
On Wednesday this week, Pia Kjærsgaard wrote on Facebook that she had now reported al-Jabouri to the police as well. Kjærsgaard cited the Danish Penal Code section 164(1), which covers false accusations.
In the post, Kjærsgaard wrote, “Enough is enough. Of course I can’t just quietly accept being accused of violence. Everyone who took part in the show Højskolen has rejected these lies from Afrah al-Jabouri. Both the participants and people from the production company.”
She went on to comment on her view of Islam: “How long are we going to put up with radicalised Islamists trying to change Denmark? Until there are enough of them to turn Denmark into a country where Islam becomes the largest religion?”
No response from al-Jabouri
Al-Jabouri has not commented on being reported to the police to any news site. The Danish Dispatch is also trying to get in touch with her about the case.
