A Swedish court on Monday convicted Salwan Najem —a 50-year-old anti-Islam activist— of hate crimes for publicly burning the Quran and making derogatory remarks about Muslims in 2023.
The Stockholm District Court issued a suspended sentence and fined Najem 4,000 SEK (approx. $358), citing his actions as “contempt for the Muslim ethnic group” that exceeded permissible religious criticism.
Co-Defendant Salwan Momika Assassinated Ahead of Verdict
The ruling follows the fatal shooting of Najem’s co-defendant, Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, days before his scheduled verdict.
In the aftermath of Najem’s murder, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson suggested foreign state involvement in Momika’s murder, though no suspects have been charged. The five individuals previously detained were later released.
Quran Burnings Lead to Global Outcry and Legal Precedent
The 2023 Quran burnings, which triggered riots and diplomatic tensions with Muslim-majority nations, forced Sweden to confront its free speech vs. hate crime laws balance. The court acknowledged religious groups must tolerate offense but ruled Najem and Momika “overstepped the mark” by desecrating the Quran and attacking mosques.
The court clarified that the Quran “does not have special legal protection” as a holy text, adding that burning it isn’t automatically a hate crime. However, the defendants’ “offensive and sweeping statements” targeting Islam crossed into illegal ethnic and religious contempt.
Najem’s lawyer has announced plans to appeal, arguing that the Quran burnings constituted protected criticism of religion under Sweden’s free speech laws. Not long after his passing, the court dismissed charges against Momika posthumously, citing his death.
