Europe's courts and media accused of excusing migrant crime
A sharp attack on how European institutions handle crimes committed by migrants, framed as a failure of the political left that leaves victims unprotected.
- Some European judges are said to hand down lighter treatment in rape cases because the accused came from a different culture.
- Critics call this a double standard that puts ideology ahead of victims.
- A widely reported Swedish case is cited in which a woman brought flowers to the man who raped her, saying she was reacting to the hatred she saw in the press.
- The wider claim is that fear of appearing racist has warped both courtrooms and news coverage across Europe.
Outlook: Anger over how migrant crime is prosecuted and reported keeps feeding support for Europe's populist right.