The financial cost of protecting Mohammed cartoonist Kurt Westergaard is becoming an increasing burden on the Danish government.
PET, the Danish Intelligence and Security Service, has introduced a new bodyguard system for the artist which will see security operational round-the-clock at an estimated cost of 30 annual full-time salary equivalents.
Politiken reports that a full-time agent with PET costs an estimated DKK 700,000 which it claims would result in an annual bill of DKK 19.5 million (USD 3.8 million) for wages alone, excluding technical operating equipment.
Justice Minister Brian Mikkelsen announced the 24-7 surveillance measures following the attempted attack last week on the artist by a Somali man who broke into Westergaard’s house. Mikkelsen has determined that Westergaard should be afforded full-time bodyguards for his personal safety in addition to the 24-7 home surveillance operation. The residence already has a range of expensive security equipment including CCTV monitors, a fortified bathroom, alarms and customised locks.
“In PET’s view the security precautions that have regularly been adjusted, worked according to plan and delayed entry to the house so that police could reach the house in time and arrest the attacker,” said PET in a statement, though adding that Westergaard could well be more vulnerable following the incident. “In the light of the attempt, and public exposure in Denmark and abroad of some of the security precautions in relation to Kurt Westergaard, PET is to adjust these precautions,” the agency said.
That much expense to preserver ‘Freedom of Speech’…. Am i allowed to think or write : Anybody considered the costs of exporting foreigner back to their Proud Original Country could be cheaper then protecting. Funny: in order to preserve Freedom you might need Drastic measures.
HAS HIM SEND TO NORTH KOREA ITS THE MOST SAFEST NATION IN THE WORLD BELIEVE ME I WAS IN THE CAPITAL PYONGYANG THE WAY TO GO IS FROM COPENHAGEN TO BEIJING AND THAN PYONGYANG.LONG LIVE D.P.R.K.PLEASE PRINT MY GENUINE ARTICLE DO NOT CENSOR THIS THANK YOU.YOU CAN SAVE THE DANISH PEOPLE ALOT OF MONEY
[…] Dat berekende de Deense krant Politiken, schrijft het Engelstalige Icenews.com. […]
The essence of freedom of the press is a treasured value of ANY democracy, When you allow violence to overshadow and dictate what to believe or not to believe then you are on the road to dictatorship…
I choose to defend free speech…I have defended it with my life.
Too bad Westergaard had not drawn some perverse cartoons that insulted the Danes’own values, then we would have seen how much support Danes have for Westergaard’s freedom of speech.
Let Jyllands Posten pay for Westergaard’s protection. Jyllands Posten has gained all the profits from the publicity. Dansk Folkeparti will also probably be willing to pay a portion with their so-called support for Westergaard’s “ytringsfrihed”.
Don’t blame the victim. The “provocative attitude” is the one held by the people who want to kill him for a drawing.
[…] that the new bodyguard system operated by PET (the Danish Intelligence and Security Service) will cost an annual equivalent of US $3.8 million for salaries alone. His home has also been equipped with 24-7 surveillance, alarms, and customized locks which is […]
Get him to move to Iceland, he will be safe there!
why complainning about the cost of providing security fior that stupid old man?…. there are lots of picture of how people are suffering in the world u could have devote your time to, rather than things that would back fire on you……. and the crasy western goverment who could not curb the provocative attitude of there citizen are now complaining of how expensive its to protect…. well sell your country to protect him. bounch of spoil rat