Swedish photographer wins World Press Photo prize for Utøya photos

Freelance photographer, Niclas Hammarström, working for the Swedish newspaper, Aftonbladet, has won second prize in the Spot News category in the annual World Press Photo awards for his series of twelve photographs from Utøya. The photos were taken shortly after Anders Behring Breivik had been arrested and they document the police and rescue operations that took place on Utøya.

In one photo, the police can be seen in full protective gear cautiously turning the corner of a small building; in another, a sharp shooter is sitting in the opening of a military helicopter hovering just above the treetops. In several of the photos, Labor Youth Organization (AUF) members that have just been shot can be seen lying lifeless on the ground.

According to Aftenposten, Frode Elgesem, a lawyer who represents the Labor Youth Organisation (AUF), has sent a request to World Press Photo asking that the photos be removed from the World Press Photo website.

Trond Henry Blattmann, leader of the 7/22 support group and former political advisor for the Labor coalition government from 2009 to 2011, said to Aftenposten that he thinks it is despicable that such pictures are part of a photo competition. “I hope for God’s sake that Aftonbladet nor any other Nordic media prints them,” he said to Aftenposten.

Google translation [edited for clarity]:

“Completely objectionable”
10.feb.2012

Support group for 22 July and AUF reacted strongly to the intimate pictures of Utøya victims are honored with the prize in photo contest.

The Swedish photographer Niclas Hammarström from the Swedish tabloid newspaper Aftonbladet received Friday, the 2nd place in the prestigious World Press Photo contest for series of photos of the killing of youths Utøya.

In a series of twelve photographs documented parts of the drama that unfolded at the AUF camp this afternoon 22 July. Among other things, there are several images taken after Anders Breivik Behring has been arrested and showing young people killed. In several of the images can be easily identified victims….

Original article: “Helt forkastelig”

Related: World Press Photo 2012 – Spot news, 2nd price (Utøya – Niclas Hammarström)