On Sunday, reindeer owner Maidi Eira Andersson found three dead reindeer near one of the stages of the World Rally Championship around Umeå.
On Sunday, reindeer owner Maidi Eira Andersson discovered three reindeer from Rans Sami village dead near one of the World Rally Championship stages near Umeå. The reindeer had their throats slit, and at least one reportedly had gunshot wounds. One of the dead reindeer was examined at the scene.
– It was my reindeer, and it had a reindeer calf in its belly. It is very possible that the other two reindeer did as well, but we don’t know that yet. I feel completely drained after this incident, says Maidi.
Police are investigating the incident and awaiting analysis to determine the cause of death. The reindeer carcasses have been confiscated.
The deaths are formally being investigated as vandalism and aggravated animal cruelty. However, police investigator Sofia Karlsson confirmed to Dagens Nyheter that they are also exploring the possibility of a hate crime motive.
– That allows us to prioritise the case and gives us access to a broader set of tools, she told DN.
Maidi Eira Andersson believes the deaths of the reindeer are connected to the Sami village's appeal against three of the World Rally Championship event's stages.
Maidi previously told Norran that several people in the Sami village received hate mail and threats after appealing three of the World Rally Championship event's stages. The appeal was based on the Sami village's reindeer herding in the area. Andersson believes the reindeer killings are connected to these threats.
– I understand that one might make that connection, but I don’t want to speculate on it. What has happened is very tragic and completely unacceptable. All my thoughts go to those affected. We strongly distance ourselves from all forms of threats and hate, says Erik Åström, event director at Rally Sweden.
"This is a terrible tragedy and completely unacceptable," says Erik Åström, event director at Rally Sweden, regarding the killed reindeer.
He expressed deep concern about the situation.
– I urge the public to contact the police with any information regarding the dead reindeer, says Åström.
This year's World Rally Championship began in central Umeå on Thursday, February 13. The competition stages will be held at various locations around Västerbotten, including Bygdsiljum and Andersvattnet, until the event concludes on Sunday.