Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee in Sweden known for his controversial Quran burnings, was shot dead in Sodertalje, a city near Stockholm. His death occurred just a day before a court verdict on charges of inciting ethnic hatred.
Swedish authorities confirmed the shooting, but the investigation into the circumstances of his death is ongoing.
Momika, 38, gained international attention in 2023 after staging multiple Quran burnings, actions that led to widespread protests across Muslim-majority nations.
He claimed his demonstrations were aimed at criticising Islam as a religion rather than targeting its followers. Despite Swedish authorities allowing his protests under freedom of speech laws, he faced legal action for inciting racial hatred.
Born in Iraq’s Nineveh province, Momika had a complex past. He was an Assyrian Catholic who later renounced Christianity and declared himself an atheist.
He had affiliations with several political and military groups in Iraq, including the Assyrian Patriotic Party and later the Popular Mobilization Forces. He fled Iraq amid threats and persecution, first moving to Germany before seeking asylum in Sweden in 2018.
While in Sweden, he attempted to engage in politics, interacting with Swedish politicians and expressing interest in joining the Sweden Democrats. His asylum application, however, faced hurdles due to inconsistencies in his statements, leading to the rejection of his permanent residence request.
The Swedish Migration Agency had ordered his expulsion in 2023, but due to security threats in Iraq, he was granted a temporary stay until April 2024. His death now raises questions about the circumstances surrounding his controversial actions and their consequences.
Authorities in Sweden are investigating the shooting, while reactions to his death continue to emerge, particularly from communities affected by his protests. The incident has reignited debates about freedom of expression, hate speech, and the broader implications of such acts in a multicultural society.
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