Death threats after Freya killing – VG

Fisheries director Frank Bakke-Jensen and his wife Hilde Sjurelv have received death threats after the walrus Freya was euthanized.

Early on Sunday morning, the Directorate of Fisheries carried out a controlled operation in which the walrus Freya was killed. The reactions have not been long in coming.

On Facebook, both director of fisheries Bakke-Jensen and his wife Hilde Sjurelv have now received death threats.

– I have gradually become used to receiving threats, but I think it is serious when it affects my family, says Bakke-Jensen.

Sjurelv had to close his Facebook profile after the hate messages and death threats started pouring in.

– After it became known that Freya had been euthanized, it has poured in on Messenger and in the comments section on Facebook. There are threats from Germany, the USA, Sweden – yes, everywhere, all over the world, she says.

“Murderers, murderers, you must die in hell,” writes one of the users. Another writes “whore”. A third writes that Hilde and her husband will soon be killed in the couple’s home.

– I was simply frightened. Now I can no longer have an open Facebook profile, I have had to close it. It is a shame that it has become like this, she says.

According to Sjurelv, she does not fear for her own life.

– I tend to say that there are 77,000 Tromsø residents who look after them. You can disagree, but the most important thing is that you can have those discussions. You don’t threaten to kill, she comments.

– Unacceptable

The death threats will be reported to the police, says the director of fisheries. He has also notified other family members that they may also receive death threats.

– Are you shocked by the threats that have come?

– No, unfortunately I am not. It has become so in social media that there are very few limits to the way you express yourself. I expected strong reactions, so it wasn’t unexpected, but it’s not nice when it involves the family.

He says that this is not the first time he has had to report threats to the police. As defense minister, he reported several incidents where people were reported and sentenced.

– As a public figure, I have become used to receiving threats, and it is always unpleasant. But when you pull the family in, then it’s crossing the line. Threats in themselves are crossing the line, but pointing at my family members is unacceptable.

Not terrified

The vast majority of threats come from the USA and Great Britain, says Bakke-Jensen.

– There are quite a few billion people in the world, and I have noticed that an international Freya campaign is taking place. It’s not that we’re terrified, but it’s uncomfortable to receive threats, that’s for sure.

– Would you have made the same decision to euthanize Freya, if you knew there would be such strong reactions?

– Yes, the situation was out of control, and there was a danger to life and health. We knew it would create strong reactions when we made the decision.

– How is the mood at home now?

– The situation is unpleasant, but the atmosphere is good, says Bakke-Jensen.