Iraqi man who desecrated Quran shot dead in Sweden

Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika infamous for desecrating the Holy Quran by burning it, was gunned down in his apartment in Sweden’s city of Stockholm, according to local media reports. 

"A man was found shot in a home in Stockholm’s district Hovsjo, late on Wednesday… It is 38-year-old Salwan Momika, who has died from gunshot wounds," Swedish state broadcaster SVT said.

According to BBC, Momika went on a livestream just a moment before the shooting.

The Swedish authorities began the investigation, with spokesperson Daniel Wikdahl, said that the police arrested at least five suspects in connection with the murder.

Read: In a first, Denmark charges two individuals in Quran desecration case 

Salwan Momika, 38, staged the Holy Quran burning outside Stockholm Central Mosque in 2023.

Momika's video of these desecrations received worldwide publicity and prompted outrage among Muslims, leading to protests outside the Iraqi embassy at several places. 

He had received death threats after setting a copy of the Quran on fire twice in 2023 while protesting against Islam during the Eid-ul-Azha. 

Subsequently, his action was condemned by religious leaders across the Middle East and Europe, while protests were staged in Iran after the Islamophobic act.

Despite the outrage , Swedish police had granted him a permit for the protest in line with freedom of speech protections in the country. 

Read: At least 150 ancient manuscripts of Holy Quran stolen from Jabal-e-Noor in Quetta

Momika escaped to Sweden years ago amid multiple legal allegations, including deception. In 2013, Baghdad requested his extradition, but Sweden denied the request.

Authorities maintained that burning the Quran is not a crime in Sweden, therefore his extradition is not possible.

Following the backlash, the Swedish government vowed to implement laws to prevent such acts from occurring during protests.