Quran-Burning Individual Fatally Shot in Sweden
Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee known for organizing multiple Quran-burning protests, was fatally shot in his apartment in Sweden while live streaming the incident. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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**Iraqi Refugee Killed During TikTok Live Stream in Sweden**
An Iraqi refugee, notable for burning copies of the Quran, was shot dead in his apartment in Sodertalje, Sweden, reportedly during a live stream on TikTok, according to local news outlets. The murder of Salwan Momika occurred on Wednesday, just one day before he was due to appear in court on hate speech charges.
Momika, a Syrian Catholic who arrived in Sweden in 2018, captured international attention by organizing several Quran-burning demonstrations in the country, which led to protests in various Muslim-majority nations. His actions, which began in 2023, resulted in heightened diplomatic tensions between Sweden and countries such as Iraq, Turkey, and Pakistan.
The Iraqi government had requested his extradition, and deportation proceedings against him were initiated by Swedish authorities in 2023.
Reports indicate that the 38-year-old was live-streaming on TikTok during Wednesday's attack. Swedish police confirmed the arrest of five individuals in connection with the killing but have not revealed the identities or motives of the suspects. Investigators are reportedly trying to ascertain whether the shooting had political or religious motivations.
Media reports highlight that Momika was expected to face sentencing in court on Thursday in a case regarding charges of incitement against an ethnic group related to four Quran burnings.
The Stockholm District Court commented, “Since it has been confirmed that one of the defendants has died, the sentence must be adjusted to the fact that it is not possible to sentence a deceased person.”
Another defendant in the case, Salwan Najem, expressed fears for his safety following news of Momika's death, stating, “I’m next,” on social media platform X.
In recent years, several individuals in European countries have faced threats or been killed for publicly opposing Islam. Notable incidents include the 2020 beheading of French teacher Samuel Paty, who displayed cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in a class on free speech; a knife attack in Nice that left three people dead later that same year; and the 2015 terrorist attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris, which resulted in the deaths of 12 people after the magazine published satirical depictions of Muhammad.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
An Iraqi refugee, notable for burning copies of the Quran, was shot dead in his apartment in Sodertalje, Sweden, reportedly during a live stream on TikTok, according to local news outlets. The murder of Salwan Momika occurred on Wednesday, just one day before he was due to appear in court on hate speech charges.
Momika, a Syrian Catholic who arrived in Sweden in 2018, captured international attention by organizing several Quran-burning demonstrations in the country, which led to protests in various Muslim-majority nations. His actions, which began in 2023, resulted in heightened diplomatic tensions between Sweden and countries such as Iraq, Turkey, and Pakistan.
The Iraqi government had requested his extradition, and deportation proceedings against him were initiated by Swedish authorities in 2023.
Reports indicate that the 38-year-old was live-streaming on TikTok during Wednesday's attack. Swedish police confirmed the arrest of five individuals in connection with the killing but have not revealed the identities or motives of the suspects. Investigators are reportedly trying to ascertain whether the shooting had political or religious motivations.
Media reports highlight that Momika was expected to face sentencing in court on Thursday in a case regarding charges of incitement against an ethnic group related to four Quran burnings.
The Stockholm District Court commented, “Since it has been confirmed that one of the defendants has died, the sentence must be adjusted to the fact that it is not possible to sentence a deceased person.”
Another defendant in the case, Salwan Najem, expressed fears for his safety following news of Momika's death, stating, “I’m next,” on social media platform X.
In recent years, several individuals in European countries have faced threats or been killed for publicly opposing Islam. Notable incidents include the 2020 beheading of French teacher Samuel Paty, who displayed cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in a class on free speech; a knife attack in Nice that left three people dead later that same year; and the 2015 terrorist attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris, which resulted in the deaths of 12 people after the magazine published satirical depictions of Muhammad.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
