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Man behind Quran burning shot dead in Sweden ahead of court trial

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An Iraqi refugee in Sweden, Salwan Momika, who sparked outrage in Muslim-majority countries by repeatedly burning the Quran in 2023, has been shot dead south of Stockholm. Swedish investigators confirmed the death on Thursday, with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson suggesting the possibility of “a foreign power” being involved in the murder.

Momika, 38, was found shot late Wednesday in an apartment building in Södertälje, where he lived. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he later succumbed to his injuries. Prosecutor Rasmus Oman confirmed an investigation was underway, with five people arrested in connection with the crime.

“We are in the early stages of the investigation… Five people have been detained,” Oman told AFP, noting the information-gathering process was ongoing.

Sweden’s Prime Minister Kristersson added that security services were heavily involved in the investigation, given the potential link to external forces. The authorities had been monitoring the situation due to the high tensions surrounding Momika’s actions.

Earlier, a Stockholm court was set to rule on charges of “inciting ethnic hatred” against Momika, but postponed the decision following his death, which is now being treated as a murder case. Momika had been previously charged for burning the Quran in public protests, including outside a Stockholm mosque, making derogatory remarks about Muslims.

Momika’s actions had led to strained relations between Sweden and several Middle Eastern countries, with protests breaking out, including two separate attacks on the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. Sweden had raised its security threat level in response to the backlash.

In an interview in April 2023, Momika claimed that he never intended to harm Sweden, stating he was grateful for the country’s hospitality. However, by October 2023, the Swedish Migration Agency revoked his residency permit, citing inaccuracies in his application, although he was granted a temporary permit.

Before his death, Momika had left Sweden for Norway in March 2024 but was deported back to Sweden after a few weeks. His actions and the controversy surrounding them were part of a broader pattern of political dissent and activism, including his involvement in anti-corruption protests in Iraq.

The Swedish court had also previously convicted another man in October 2023 for inciting ethnic hatred by burning the Quran, marking a significant legal stance on the matter. Despite Swedish laws protecting free speech, such actions can be prosecuted under the charge of “agitation against an ethnic group” depending on the context and intent.

As investigations continue, questions linger over the role of external factors in the murder of a man whose protests against the Quran had already made him a polarizing figure.

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