Iraqi man Salwan Momika, responsible for Quran desecration, shot dead in Sweden

Swedish police have opened a murder investigation after Salwan Momika’s death.

Listen to article

Salwan Momika, the Iraqi man who provoked protests by burning copies of the Quran in Sweden in 2023, has been shot dead in the city of Södertälje on Wednesday evening, according to local media reports.

Salwan Momika, 38, had sparked international outrage when he desecrated the holy Quran during protests outside a mosque in Stockholm. His actions, which were carried out by Sweden’s free speech laws, led to a diplomatic crisis and protests across Muslim-majority countries.

Swedish police confirmed that they had responded to a shooting at an apartment in Södertälje, where Salwan Momika lived. The police found a man in his 40s who had been shot. Later, they confirmed the man had died from his injuries and a murder investigation was launched.

Several outlets identified the deceased as Salwan Momika, and reports suggested he may have been livestreaming the incident at the time of his death. Police have arrested five individuals in connection with the shooting.

Salwan Momika had been facing charges of "agitation against an ethnic group" following multiple incidents of holy Quran desecration. A court was scheduled to rule on his case on Thursday, but the verdict has now been postponed until February 3, due to his death.

The events surrounding Salwan Momika’s actions, including the desecrations and the violent reactions they provoked, led to strained relations between Sweden and several Middle Eastern countries.

Protestors in Iraq stormed the Swedish embassy twice in 2023, and the Swedish ambassador was expelled from Baghdad.

The Swedish government had defended Salwan Momika’s right to burn the Quran under the country's free speech protections but pledged to review laws governing such protests.