Lego 'Suicide Jihad' playset draws criticism

Rampant mismanagement revealed at toymaker's headquarters

Alex Terrieur
La Lune de la presse internationale

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

Lego Corporation has become embroiled in controversy recently after workers denounced internal corruption and immoral behavior among the company's ranks. Anonymous workers, who filed for whistleblower status against the toymaker, have alledged a widespread conspiracy to "corrupt and manipulate" children around the world.

According to the affadavit filed Friday, and provided exclusively to the La Rochelle Times, charges are being brought in a Danish court alledging that management in the corporation has sought to inflame tensions between Denmark and the Arab world by promoting a new line of '"Suicide Jihad" playsets. The scandal broke when one of the playsets, set to be released in summer of 2007, was circulated through e-mail and posted on the Internet. Denmark was also scandalized by the release of cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed unfavorably, which offended many devout Muslims.

Lego officials have previously denied the charges, stating the Legos "did not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnic origin, political affiliation, economic status, geographical location, education, age, nationality, gender, sexual preference, or skill level."

Although the abuse of Lego toys among consumers has long been widespread, the toymaker has never intentionally released toys with ethno-religious or pornographic themes, nor officially endorsed unethnical or immoral Lego usage.

The new charges brought by whistleblowers add a new twist to the initially sketchy accusations. It is widely expected that any future ethnically-themed playsets will not be released on the market, although they could become valuable collector's pieces. Lego officials were not immediately available for comment, although they have indicated that a statement will be released for the public age 12 and up.