Hans Rustad

[[File:Hans Rustad, journalist, bredt bilde.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Hans Rustad in 2012]]
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'''Hans Rustad''' {{lived|1950}} is a [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[Islamophobia|Islamophobe]], [[crank]] and anti-immigration activist, best known as founder of the [[far-right]] Islamophobic blog [[Document.no]].<ref name="Sunde" /><ref>[http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/counter-jihad/country/Norway International ‘Counter-Jihadist’ map: Norway], Hope not Hate</ref>

Rustad formerly worked as an editorial assistant for some mainstream newspapers in the 1980s and 1990s. He has since focused on his political blog, which criticizes [[Islam]] and Muslims, deals in [[conspiracy theories]] (usually involving either Muslims or "the political establishment", often both), and expresses opposition to immigration and [[multiculturalism]]. As editor, he regularly invites other Islamophobes such as [[Geert Wilders]], [[Bruce Bawer]] and "[[Julia Caesar]]" as well as lesser known anti-immigration activists, sometimes anonymous, to contribute to his website. The website has been described as an "anti-immigrant forum which has evolved into a hotbed of galloping Islamophobia," and according to journalist Anders Giæver, Rustad uses the site to "rant against anyone who does not share his gloomy [[worldview]]."<ref>[http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/Retter-krass-kritikk-mot-nettsted-5014790.html Retter krass kritikk mot nettsted], ''Aftenposten''</ref> An official report of the Norwegian Police University College cites Document.no as an example of an "extremist website" alongside [[Stormfront]] and [[Gates of Vienna]].<ref name="Sunde">Inger Marie Sunde, ''[https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/43716ef78a2b410c9e9fb8601dff0216/rapport_forebygging-rad-eks.pdf Forebygging av radikalisering og voldelig ekstremisme på internett]'' [Prevention of radicalization and violent extremism on the Internet] (p. 28), Norwegian Police University College, Report 1/2013</ref> According to the ''Financial Times'', it is "a website rife with anti-Muslim and hard right rhetoric."<ref>Andrew Ward; Robin Wigglesworth (2011-07-25). "[http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/902834ea-b54f-11e0-81cd-00144feabdc0.html Killings sure to stir immigration debate]". ''Financial Times''</ref> Rustad and his website received media attention in 2011, when it was revealed that the mass murderer [[Anders Behring Breivik]] had been an active contributor to the website; according to the [[BBC]], "Anders Behring Breivik left [[racist]], [[extremist]] right-wing comments along with fellow anti-Muslims" on the site.<ref>Goril, Liss (2001-09-11). "[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14260743 Attacks strike at Norway's values]". Bbc.co.uk.</ref> 

Rustad can be seen as the archetypal representative of the [[counter-jihad]] movement, that is dominated by embittered men in their 60s with little formal education, who become fanatically devoted to a single issue.<ref>[http://klassekampen.no/60158/article/item/null/gretne-gubber Gretne gubber] [Grumpy old men], ''Klassekampen''</ref>

In Breivik's trial, Rustad was originally called as a defence witness alongside [[Fjordman]]; Breivik's defence counsel Geir Lippestad said that "debaters on the Internet, particularly Jensen [Fjordman] and Rustad, had a role in Breivik's radicalization."<ref>[http://www.nrk.no/norge/_-fjordman-har-terroransvar-1.7904344 Lippestad: Nettdebattanter har ansvar for terroren], NRK</ref> He said that "you have a responsibility when you express yourself in an extreme way."<ref>[http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/terrorangrepet-22-juli-anders-behring-breivik/lippestad-du-har-et-ansvar-naar-du-uttrykker-deg-paa-ekstrem-maate/a/10032175/ Lippestad: Du har et ansvar når du uttrykker deg på ekstrem måte], VG</ref> At his own request, he was later dropped as a witness.

In 2015 Rustad, who also runs a small-time publishing business from his home, announced that he was publishing a book written by the far-right blogger and conspiracy theorist Fjordman (Peder Are Nøstvold Jensen), after it had been turned down by seven proper publishing companies in Norway.<ref>Hans Rustad, "Document sørger for at Fjordmans bok kan selges i Norge," [link to far right website removed], 15 Dec 2015</ref> Fjordman is notable for stating that "Islam and all those who practice it must be [[genocide|total and physically removed from the Western world]]," and for being Breivik's main idol. He has been described as a Nazi by Norwegian media.<ref>Marie Melgård, [http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/08/06/nyheter/utoya/internett/fjordman/17574687/ Fjordman foreslo nazi-løsning], ''Dagbladet'', 6 August 2011</ref>

==Objecting to being called a "Nazi"==
In 2011, Rustad complained to the Professional Committee of the Press over an article in a local newspaper which described him as a chief exponent of the "brown goo," stating that "it does not matter what the spill call themselves, this is very similar to [[Nazism]]" and concluding that "we do not want Behring Breivik, Rustad and other nutjobs to set the agenda." The committee ended up criticizing the newspaper over calling him a "Nazi," mainly because it generally discouraged the term when referring to contemporary individuals.<ref>[http://presse.no/pfu-sak/23611/ Complaint by Hans Rustad to the Professional Committee of the Press]</ref>

==See also==
* [[Ingrid Carlqvist]]
* [[Rasmus Paludan]]
* [[Resett.no]]
* [[Peter Sweden]]

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rustad, Hans}}
[[Category:Alt-right]]
[[Category:Catholics]]
[[Category:Fascists]]
[[Category:Islamophobes]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Nationalism in Norway]]
[[Category:Neo-Nazis]]
[[Category:Norway]]
[[Category:Racists]]
[[Category:Great Replacement conspiracy theorists]]

Categories: Alt-right, Catholics, Fascists, Islamophobes, Living people, Nationalism in Norway, Neo-Nazis, Norway, Racists, Great Replacement conspiracy theorists