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OFFBEAT

Dwarf checked in as luggage at Stockholm airport

A person tried to check in a dwarf in a suitcase at Bromma airport in Stockholm on Wednesday.

Airport staff did not appreciate the practical joke and called the police.

The whole episode turned out to be for a television programme – the Swedish version of “Balls of Steel” (Ballar av stål) – which centres around performing pranks and provoking members of the public and figures of authority.

The TV team tried to check in a person of short stature packed into a suitcase. Airport staff were not amused by the TV team’s prank and called the police who were swiftly on the scene.

“It was a stupid prank that scared the airport staff but no law has been broken,” said Yvonne Lindholm at the airport police to news agency TT.

Dana Panas at Kanal 5 is the person that bought “Balls of Steel” after Sveriges Television (SVT), who the programme was originally recorded for, declined.

“The program is supposed to be provocative and entertaining,” Panas said.

“The purpose of the program is not to poke fun at people of short stature. It is about twisted and extreme situations which are entertaining.”

Balls of Steel became notorious last year when the programme was reported to the police after a reporter sprayed water into the face of Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in a spoof interview.

The Swedish security police (Säpo) reported the incident to the police and the reporter involved in the prank, Hanna Wilenius, was fined 20,000 kronor ($3,361) by the district court.