Sweden seeks jail for 3 men charged with plotting artist's murder

Dec 28, 2011, 16:55 GMT

Stockholm - Swedish prosecutors on Wednesday demanded a minimum three-year jail term for three men accused of plotting to kill a Swedish artist who outraged the Muslim world in 2007 when he depicted the Prophet Mohammed as a dog.

Somali national Abdi Aziz Mahamud, and Salar Sami Mahmood and Abdi Weli Mohamud, who hold Swedish citizenships, have been in custody since September when they were arrested on suspicion of planning to kill artist Lars Vilks.

The men said they knew of Vilks but denied planning to murder him even though they disliked his drawing.

Prosecutor Agnetha Hilding Qvarnstrom asked the court in the western city of Gothenburg that the trio remain in custody until sentencing. Her request was rejected. A verdict is due January 20, the court said.

During the trial, prosecutors said police spotted the trio near an arts centre that was to host a contemporary art exhibition mentioned by Vilks on his blog.

On the day of the exhibition's opening, one of the three men also asked about Vilks at the venue. The three men were carrying knives when they were arrested.

Vilks has been under police protection after receiving death threats.