A Swedish train operator is investigating the forcible removal of a pregnant woman from a train in Stockholm.
A video clip posted on social media shows security guards working for Stockholm public transport authority SL dragging the woman off the train and pushing her down onto a bench on the platform.
The woman had allegedly refused to accept a fine after failing to show a valid ticket, according to transport officials. Security guards stepped in after she allegedly became aggressive.
The woman’s daughter can be seen crying as she tries to hold on to her mother, before another security guard leads the child away.
“In these two videos you can see the victim dragged out of the train, her child taken from her and whilst she attempts to stand up she is held down,” wrote popular blogger and activist Lovette Jallow, who posted mobile phone footage of the incident on Instagram.
In the post, Jallow also criticized how Swedes of African origin are “racially profiled and mistreated.”
The woman visited hospital for treatment after the incident, which took place at Hötorget metro station on January 31, according to a police report.
“All I can do is hope the baby is alright because if anything happens to that child. There will be hell to pay,” wrote Jallow.
The post drew many comments from other Instagram users.
Sofie Fisen Jakopsohn, @sofiejakopsohn, left a comment calling the incident a crime against human rights, while others said that things would have been different if the woman had listened to the guards’ instructions.
SL spokesman Henrik Palmer told CNN that the security guards are subject to rigorous training to prevent these kinds of incidents.
An internal investigation is being carried out to work out what went wrong, he said.
“We take this very seriously,” said Palmer, adding that the security guards have been suspended until the investigation is complete.
There are cameras on the train and the platform, said Palmer, and police have access to all of the footage.
Stockholm police are investigating the incident but could not be reached for comment.