The chairman of the H.C. Andersen Prize Committee, Jan Moosmand, has chosen to resign from his position due to connections with the criminal lawyer and TV 2 whistleblower Amira Smajic. This was announced by the committee on their website on Wednesday. The decision came shortly after Fyens Stiftstidende revealed that Moosmand had been involved in business with Smajic, known from the TV 2 documentary ‘Den Sorte Svane’ (The Black Swan). In a statement from the committee, it is stated that Moosmand stepped down after the publication of the article from Fyens Stiftstidende. “After today’s article in Fyens Stiftstidende, Jan Moosmand has decided to withdraw from the committee with immediate effect,” the announcement said. The Prize Committee expressed regret over Moosmand’s decision, but respects his wish to avoid that his previous connection to Smajic could burden the committee’s future work.
Jan Moosmand has been a key figure in the H.C. Andersen Prize Committee, which he helped establish. For almost three decades, he has played a significant role in developing and strengthening the prize and the network around it. TV 2’s documentary revealed Smajic’s collaboration with criminal elements, including bikers and gang members, in activities such as money laundering. After the documentary’s release, she has also been linked to further criminal activities. B.T. reported earlier this year that Amira Smajic was convicted of gross negligence in 2022. She had come into possession of confidential documents belonging to another lawyer, which she left freely accessible in an apartment.