STOCKHOLM, Sweden: Salwan Momika, the Iraqi man who sparked outrage among Muslims by repeatedly burning the holy Quran in Sweden in 2023, has been shot dead, according to reports on Thursday. Police confirmed that a man had died in a shooting the previous day.
A Stockholm court was scheduled to deliver a verdict on Thursday regarding whether Momika, a Christian Iraqi, was guilty of inciting ethnic hatred after desecrating the Quran in several incidents. The ruling was delayed until February 3 due to his death, with officials stating that more time was needed.
Authorities were alerted to the shooting in Sodertalje, where Momika resided. Police found a man who had been shot indoors and was transported to the hospital, later confirming his death. A murder investigation has been launched.
Media outlets identified the deceased as Momika, and it was reported that the shooting may have been streamed live on social media.
In August 2023, Salwan Momika and his associate Salwan Najem were charged with “agitation against an ethnic group” after desecrating the Quran multiple times during the summer. On one occasion, they burned the holy book outside a mosque in Stockholm while making offensive remarks about Muslims.
This controversial act led to strained relations between Sweden and several Middle Eastern nations. Iraqi protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad twice in July 2023, setting fires within the compound on the second occasion.
The Swedish government condemned the desecration but upheld the nation’s constitutionally protected rights to freedom of speech and assembly.
