Salwan Momika, the Iraqi refugee who sparked outrage in 2023 by burning the Koran in Sweden, has been shot dead in an apartment building south of Stockholm. Authorities confirmed the 38-year-old’s death on Thursday and opened an investigation into the murder. Five people have been arrested in connection with the crime.
Momika’s actions in burning the Koran in protest, which he had done several times in 2023, led to widespread condemnation across Muslim-majority countries. These protests resulted in violent demonstrations, including the storming of Sweden’s embassy in Baghdad.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson suggested there could be a link to a “foreign power” due to the high-profile nature of the Koran burnings. The Swedish security services are closely involved in the investigation.
The murder occurred in the city of Sodertalje, where Momika lived. Police discovered his body after responding to reports of a shooting late Wednesday. He was found with gunshot wounds and later died in a hospital.
Before his death, Momika was facing charges of inciting ethnic hatred due to his Koran desecrations. A court ruling was scheduled for Thursday, but it has been delayed following his passing. His controversial actions had already strained relations between Sweden and several Middle Eastern nations, raising the country’s threat level.
While in Sweden, Momika had expressed gratitude for the refuge he had been granted but stood by his Koran-burning protests. However, the violence surrounding his actions and his previous involvement in Iraq’s anti-corruption movements made him a polarizing figure.
The Swedish government condemned his actions but upheld its constitutional protection of free speech. As authorities investigate the circumstances of his death, many wonder if foreign political factors may have played a role.