*** Man who burned Quran 'shot dead in Sweden' | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Man who burned Quran 'shot dead in Sweden'

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Salwan Momika, the man who sparked violent protests after burning a Quran outside Stockholm Central Mosque in 2023, has been shot dead in Södertälje, Stockholm, according to local media reports. The 38-year-old Iraqi-born man was reportedly killed in his apartment on Wednesday evening.

Mr. Momika’s actions last year, which involved setting fire to a copy of Islam’s holy book, led to widespread unrest both in Sweden and across several Muslim-majority nations. The protests resulted in violent demonstrations, including repeated incidents at the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. The diplomatic fallout led to the expulsion of Sweden's ambassador from Iraq.

Stockholm police confirmed that five individuals were arrested in connection with the shooting of the man, who was livestreaming on social media at the time of the incident. According to local authorities, a man in his 40s was shot dead overnight, with initial reports indicating that Mr. Momika was the victim.

In August 2023, Mr. Momika, alongside another individual, was charged with "agitation against an ethnic group" after staging multiple protests against Islam. A verdict on the charges was expected to be delivered Thursday but was postponed following confirmation of Mr. Momika's death.

Mr. Momika’s controversial protests had sparked outrage in various parts of the Muslim world, with protests and calls for action intensifying in several countries. Despite the backlash, the Swedish government initially defended his right to protest under the country’s free-speech laws. However, in response to the violent reactions and diplomatic strains, Swedish officials later vowed to reconsider laws concerning public protests involving the burning of sacred texts.

The killing of Salwan Momika marks a dramatic and tragic turn in the ongoing tensions surrounding the controversial protests, raising questions about the limits of free expression and the security of individuals involved in high-profile public demonstrations. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.