Bergen 17th May Violence: Shocking Racism, Hate Speech, and Police Criticism Over Facebook Posts

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Bergen, Norway — A wave of hate speech, death threats, and racist slurs has erupted on social media following the sharing of an unedited video depicting a violent assault in Bergen on May 17, with Frp politician Jon Helgheim at the center of the controversy. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from local authorities, legal experts, and victims’ advocates, who warn of escalating harassment and legal consequences for those involved.

The controversy began after Helgheim, leader of the Storting’s Justice Committee, posted an unedited video on Facebook showing four minors allegedly assaulting a man in Bergen during the May 17 celebrations. The video quickly circulated, sparking a storm of reactions—including death threats, racist comments, and calls for violence against the individuals depicted. Helgheim initially shared a photo with the attackers’ faces visible before later blurring them, but the damage was already done.

By Monday, May 25, two of the minors—one 16 and one 17 years old—had filed formal complaints against Helgheim with Norwegian police. Their lawyers accused him of violating privacy laws by publicly sharing identifying information, including full names, addresses, and images of the minors. Advocate Alexander Gonzalo Sele, representing the 17-year-old, told VG that his client had received “a flood of threats and harassment” after the video’s release.

“What we have is not about the actions shown in the video,” Sele said. “It’s about whether it was acceptable to expose minors to this level of public scrutiny and abuse. The psychological toll on these young people is severe.”

Bergen’s mayor, in a statement to VG, condemned the incident as “deeply unacceptable” and described the aftermath as “terrifying” for the victims. “We are dealing with a situation where minors have been targeted with racist language and violent threats simply because they were caught on camera,” the mayor said. “This is not justice—it’s collective punishment.”

Police have confirmed receiving the complaints and are reviewing the case under Norway’s strict media and privacy laws, which protect minors from public exposure without justification. In a statement to NRK, a police spokesperson said they were “monitoring the situation closely” and would take appropriate action if violations were found. The spokesperson declined to comment on whether Helgheim himself faced potential legal consequences, but noted that sharing unedited footage of minors in violent contexts could constitute a breach of privacy.

The video’s spread has also triggered broader debates about accountability and the role of public figures in amplifying harmful content. While some supporters defended Helgheim’s right to share the footage as a matter of public interest, critics argued that the political leader’s platform exacerbated the harm. “When someone in a position of authority shares this kind of content, they must consider the ripple effects,” said Tiril Røkke, another attorney representing one of the minors. “The line between transparency and exploitation has been crossed here.”

As of Monday evening, the man assaulted in the video remained hospitalized and was receiving psychological support. His condition was not disclosed, but sources close to the case described him as “shaken” by the subsequent online harassment. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the assault or the threats to come forward, though no arrests have been made in connection with the video’s dissemination.

This incident follows a pattern of rising online hate speech in Norway, particularly during public events. In 2025, Norway’s Police Security Service reported a 30% increase in hate crimes linked to social media amplification, though exact figures for this case remain under investigation.

For those affected by online harassment or seeking support, the following resources are available:

• Norwegian Police Emergency: 112 (for immediate threats)
• Digital Hate Helpline: +47 22 04 22 04
• Bergen Crisis Center: +47 55 23 11 00