Salwan Momika, the Iraqi man whose actions sparked violent protests in Sweden, was shot dead on Wednesday evening in Södertälje, a suburb of Stockholm. The 40-year-old was found with gunshot wounds at an apartment in Hovsjö and was taken to the hospital but later died from his injuries. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Momika gained widespread attention in 2023 after he set fire to a copy of the Quran outside Stockholm’s Central Mosque, an act that led to violent protests in several Muslim-majority countries. His actions, along with similar anti-Islam protests, prompted diplomatic tensions, including two incidents at the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, which saw the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador.
While Swedish police had granted permission for the Quran burning, citing the country’s strong free-speech protections, the incident led to public outrage and international backlash. Momika, along with a co-defendant, was facing charges for “agitation against an ethnic group” related to these protests.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson commented on the ongoing investigation, noting that Sweden’s security services are involved, given the potential links to foreign interests. The verdict in the case was due to be delivered on Thursday but was postponed following Momika’s death.
The Swedish government, in the wake of the protests, has indicated a willingness to review legal avenues for regulating demonstrations involving the burning of sacred texts.
Sources:
- Swedish Prime Minister’s Office
- Swedish Police
- Stockholm District Court
