Man Who Burned Quran Shot Dead in Sweden

Salwan Momika, the individual known for burning the Quran in Sweden in 2023, has been reported dead in a shooting incident. Momika was scheduled to appear in court to face charges related to his Quran burnings. The court date has been postponed due to his death.

Salwan Momika is an Iraqi man known for burning the Quran in Sweden. He was shot dead in his apartment in Södertälje, Stockholm, on Wednesday night, according to local reports. Swedish police have arrested five people in connection with the incident.

Momika, 38, gained global attention in 2023 after burning copies of Islam’s holy book outside Stockholm Central Mosque, sparking outrage in many Muslim-majority countries. His actions led to protests, diplomatic tensions, and increased security threats in Sweden.

Authorities responded to a shooting in an apartment in Hovsjö at around 23:11 local time on Wednesday. The victim, who suffered gunshot wounds, was taken to a hospital but was pronounced dead on Thursday morning. Although police have not officially confirmed the victim’s identity, multiple media sources have reported that it was Momika.

At the time of his death, Momika was awaiting a court verdict on charges of “agitation against an ethnic group.” His case, scheduled for Thursday, has now been postponed. Local media also reported that he had been livestreaming on social media shortly before the attack.

What Will Happen Next?

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that the country’s security services were involved in the investigation, highlighting concerns about potential foreign involvement. The Swedish prosecutor’s office has taken charge of the case.

Momika arrived in Sweden from Iraq in 2018 and was granted residency in 2021. However, his permit was revoked after authorities discovered inconsistencies in his application. In 2023, he sought asylum in Norway but was deported back to Sweden.

His Quran-burning protests led to a diplomatic crisis, with protests at Swedish embassies in the Middle East and the expulsion of Sweden’s ambassador from Baghdad. Sweden’s intelligence agency even raised the national threat level following these events.

Momika’s murder has raised concerns about security in Sweden, which had previously attempted to balance freedom of speech with public safety. Authorities continue to investigate whether his killing was linked to his controversial protests

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