Salwan Momika, 38-year-old man who burned the Quran, sparking violent protests, has been shot dead in Sweden, local media reports say. He was killed in an apartment in Södertälje, Stockholm, on Wednesday evening, January 29.
Unrest had broken out in 2023 after Salwan Momika, an Iraqi living in Sweden, set fire to a copy of Islam’s holy book outside Stockholm Central Mosque. This incident sparked outrage in many Muslim-majority countries, with protests taking place at the Swedish embassy in Baghdad twice.
Anti-Islam Protests and Arrests
Momika carried out a series of anti-Islam protests, which led to his arrest and charges of “agitation against an ethnic group” on four occasions in the summer of 2023. Five people were arrested after Momika was shot dead overnight, with local media reporting that he had been livestreaming on social media around the time of his death.
Global Reactions and Condemnations
The Quran burning incident has led to widespread condemnations from Muslim-majority countries, including Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. The Iraqi government even went as far as severing diplomatic ties with Sweden and expelling the Swedish ambassador, while the Iranian government called for the death penalty for Momika.
Freedom of Speech vs Hate Speech
The incident has now raised debates in Sweden over freedom of speech and hate speech, with some individuals arguing that Momika’s actions were protected by freedom of expression, while others saw it as a provocative act that incited violence.
Investigation and Aftermath
The Swedish police are investigating Momika’s death, with the Stockholm District Court postponing the verdict in his trial due to his death. The incident has sparked concerns over rising tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims in Sweden and beyond.
