An Iraqi man who gained notoriety for carrying out Quran burnings in Sweden has tragically passed away, as confirmed by a judge in Stockholm. The individual, aged 38, was reportedly killed in a shooting incident in a nearby city. The deceased, identified as Salwan Momika, had orchestrated multiple burnings and desecrations of Islam's holy book in Sweden during 2023. These actions garnered global attention, sparking outrage and condemnation in various Muslim-majority countries and inciting riots and unrest in several locations.
The Stockholm District Court announced that a scheduled verdict in a trial involving Momika was postponed due to his untimely death. Details surrounding the circumstances of his passing remain unclear at this time. Authorities were alerted to a shooting at an apartment building in Sodertalje, near Stockholm, where they discovered a man with gunshot wounds who later succumbed to his injuries. A preliminary murder investigation has been initiated in connection with the incident.
Reports indicate that Momika, who arrived in Sweden from Iraq in 2018 and was granted a three-year residence permit in 2021, had been vocal in his anti-Islam sentiments. Despite his claims that his actions were aimed at the religion of Islam rather than its followers, his Quran burnings were met with strong opposition. Swedish police, while acknowledging his right to freedom of speech, had filed charges against him for incitement to hatred.
In August, Momika and a co-defendant were charged with incitement to hatred based on statements made in relation to the Quran burnings. The anticipated verdict in their case was scheduled for Thursday morning. The prosecutor revealed that several individuals had been arrested in connection with the incident, although further details were not disclosed.
Notably, Momika had been arrested in Norway last March after expressing intentions to seek asylum there. He was subsequently returned to Sweden to face legal proceedings. The news of his demise has brought an unexpected turn to the ongoing legal saga surrounding his controversial actions.
