Stockholm, Sweden – Salwan Momika, the man who ignited international controversy and violent protests after burning copies of the Quran, has been shot dead in Sweden, according to local media reports.
The 38-year-old Iraqi national was reportedly killed in an apartment in Södertälje, a suburb of Stockholm, on Wednesday evening. Swedish police confirmed that a man in his 40s had been fatally shot overnight, leading to the arrest of five individuals.
Authorities responded to a shooting incident at an apartment in Hovsjö at approximately 23:11 local time (22:11 GMT). The victim, who was found with gunshot wounds, was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday morning. While police have not officially named the victim, Swedish media have widely reported that it was Momika.
Local reports indicate that Momika was livestreaming on social media around the time of the attack.
A Controversial Figure
Momika gained international attention in 2023 after setting fire to a copy of the Quran outside Stockholm Central Mosque, an act that triggered violent demonstrations and diplomatic tensions between Sweden and several Muslim-majority nations. His actions led to widespread unrest, including protests outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, and the expulsion of Sweden’s ambassador from Iraq.
In August 2023, Momika was charged alongside another individual for “agitation against an ethnic group” on multiple occasions during the summer. The Stockholm District Court was set to deliver its verdict on Thursday, but proceedings were postponed following confirmation of his death.
Security Concerns and Diplomatic Fallout
Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, stated that the country’s security services were involved in the investigation due to concerns over possible links to foreign powers, as reported by SVT.
Swedish authorities had granted Momika permission for his Quran-burning protests under the country’s free speech laws. However, in response to the global backlash, the government later pledged to explore legal avenues to restrict protests involving the burning of religious texts under certain circumstances.
The killing of Momika has raised questions about potential motives, whether domestic or international, as Swedish authorities continue their investigation.
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