Iraqi Refugee and Quran-Desecrator Salwan Momika Shot Dead in Sweden
Salwan Momika, a 38-year-old Iraqi refugee and anti-Islam campaigner, was shot dead in Sweden late Wednesday night, just hours before he was due to receive a court ruling in a case involving desecration of the Holy Quran. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting in the town of Sodertalje, near Stockholm, although police have not confirmed whether the shooter was among those detained.
Momika, who had burned copies of the Quran in public protests in 2023, was facing charges for “agitation against an ethnic or national group” related to his controversial actions. Swedish authorities, including the Prime Minister, have expressed concern about potential foreign involvement in the incident, but have not provided further details.
At the time of his death, Momika was reportedly streaming live on TikTok, and a video showed police cutting the broadcast after responding to the scene. The incident has prompted heightened security concerns in Sweden, which raised its terrorism alert level in 2023 following a series of Quran-burning protests that triggered global outrage and threats from militants.
In 2023, Sweden’s migration agency sought to deport Momika for providing false information on his residency application but could not proceed due to concerns about his safety in Iraq. Despite this, he was granted a temporary permit.
Momika’s past in Iraq included ties to a Christian armed faction during the fight against ISIS and political activism, including involvement in anti-corruption protests in 2019. He left Sweden for Norway in March 2024, only to be deported back.
The Swedish court’s handling of Quran desecration cases has stirred debate about the balance between free speech and hate speech. In one such case, another individual was convicted in 2023 for inciting ethnic hatred over a Quran-burning incident.
Swedish authorities are continuing their investigation into Momika’s murder while closely monitoring its potential impact on the country’s security.
