Stockholm, January 30: Salwan Momika, a 38-year-old man infamous for burning the Quran outside Sweden’s largest mosque, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Wednesday evening. According to the BBC, Momika was killed in his apartment in Södertälje, Stockholm, while live-streaming on TikTok.
Momika had sparked global outrage on June 28, 2023, when he burned a copy of the Quran outside Stockholm’s central mosque on Eid al-Adha. His actions led to widespread protests against Sweden in several countries. He repeated the act multiple times and faced accusations of wrapping Quran pages in pork and trampling on the holy book.
The perpetrators of Momika’s murder remain unidentified. Swedish police have registered a case against unknown individuals and are investigating the killing.
Momika and his friend, Salwan Najim, were scheduled to appear in court on charges of spreading hate speech against Islam in Sweden. Their trial began on January 16, and a verdict was expected on January 31. However, following Momika’s death, the Stockholm District Court postponed the decision until February 3.
Judge Göran Lundahl confirmed Momika’s death in court, stating that additional time was needed to proceed with the case. The court noted that Momika’s death had complicated the legal proceedings.
Momika’s actions had previously drawn condemnation from Muslim-majority countries and led to diplomatic tensions. His death has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing legal and social debates surrounding freedom of expression and hate speech in Sweden.
The investigation into his murder continues, with authorities working to identify and apprehend the suspects.
