Qur’an-burning protestor killed in Sweden, five suspects arrested

Salwan Momika, an Iraqi man known for staging several Qur’an burnings in Sweden, was killed in a shooting incident on Wednesday night, and four people have reportedly been arrested in connection with the killing, Swedish authorities confirmed."

The Stockholm District Court announced his death on Thursday, leading to the postponement of a verdict in a case in which Momika was a defendant.

Swedish media reported that Momika, 38, was fatally shot in a nearby city. In a statement, Swedish police confirmed that the suspects were detained, and prosecutors have taken charge of the investigation.

Momika gained international notoriety for his controversial acts of burning and desecrating the Qur’an, Islam's holy book, which was widely shared through videos that garnered global attention. These actions sparked outrage and condemnation across several Muslim-majority nations, leading to protests, riots, and heightened tensions in Sweden and beyond.

Swedish authorities had been investigating Momika for incitement against ethnic groups, with legal proceedings underway at the Stockholm District Court. The court was scheduled to deliver a verdict in one of his cases on Thursday but postponed the decision after confirming his death. Göran Lundahl, the judge in the case, verified that Momika was the deceased individual.

The Qur’an burnings had drawn sharp criticism internationally, placing Sweden under scrutiny for allowing such acts under the guise of freedom of expression. The incidents strained Sweden’s relations with several Muslim nations and raised debates about the balance between free speech and respect for religious beliefs.