Man who repeatedly burned Koran in 2023 shot dead, 5 arrested

Salwan Momika, the Iraqi-born Christian known for repeatedly burning the Koran in Sweden in 2023, was shot dead in Sodertalje, south of Stockholm, authorities confirmed Thursday. His actions had sparked international outrage and strained Sweden’s relations with several Muslim-majority countries.

Prosecutor Rasmus Oman confirmed that a murder investigation had been opened into the killing of the 38-year-old, with five people detained on suspicion of involvement. Police responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment building late Wednesday, where they found Momika critically wounded. He was taken to the hospital but later died.

Local media suggested the attack might have been broadcast live on social media, with reports indicating that the perpetrator gained access to the building through the roof.

Momika had been awaiting a court ruling on charges of inciting ethnic hatred. The Stockholm court, scheduled to deliver its verdict on Thursday, postponed the decision to February 3 following his death. Alongside co-protester Salwan Najem, Momika had been charged with “agitation against an ethnic group” for desecrating the Koran in public protests during the summer of 2023. Their demonstrations, including one outside a Stockholm mosque, led to widespread condemnation and diplomatic tensions.

The controversy surrounding Momika’s actions had far-reaching consequences. In July 2023, Iraqi protesters stormed and set fire to the Swedish embassy in Baghdad in response to his demonstrations. The Swedish intelligence service, Sapo, subsequently raised the national threat level, citing an increased risk of attacks against Sweden. The government condemned the desecrations but emphasized the country’s constitutional protections for free speech and assembly.

Despite the backlash, Momika insisted he had no intention of harming Sweden. In an April 2023 interview, he stated that he did not wish to cause trouble for the country that had granted him refuge. He arrived in Sweden in 2018 but faced legal troubles in 2023 when the Swedish Migration Agency revoked his residency permit due to false information in his application. Although Iraq requested his extradition, Sweden granted him temporary residence, citing obstacles to his deportation.

In early 2024, Momika sought asylum in Norway, calling Sweden’s commitment to free expression “a big lie.” Norwegian authorities deported him back to Sweden within weeks. His past in Iraq included affiliations with Christian armed factions, the creation of a short-lived political party, and participation in anti-government protests in 2019.

Momika’s case had raised broader legal questions in Sweden. While desecrating religious texts can be protected under free speech laws, prosecutors argued that in certain contexts, it could constitute incitement against an ethnic group. A similar case in 2023 led to Sweden’s first conviction for inciting hatred through a Koran burning.