Salwan Momika was shot at his residence in Södertälje while livestreaming on social media.

On Wednesday night, Swedish authorities arrested five people in connection with the fatal shooting in Stockholm of Iraqi national Salwan Momika, known for publicly burning the Quran multiple times in 2023.

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“Regarding Momika’s death, I can confirm that five people have been arrested, and a preliminary investigation has been opened,” said National Police Chief Petra Lundh, who declined to provide further details or reveal whether the 38-year-old Momika had police protection.

Momika was shot last night at his residence in Södertälje while livestreaming on social media, according to several Swedish media outlets, including the public broadcaster SVT.

“It is too early to say whether there is any connection to a foreign country; that will depend on the conclusions of the police and intelligence services,” said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, though he acknowledged that there is a “risk” of such a link.

Earlier that day, the Stockholm District Court had announced that the verdict in a case against Momika and a co-defendant, who were charged with incitement to hatred over Quran burnings, would be postponed until February 3 due to Momika’s death. The verdict had initially been scheduled for today.

Momika gained widespread media attention when he burned a Quran in front of Stockholm’s main mosque and later outside the Iraqi embassy and the Swedish Parliament. These acts sparked outrage in the Muslim world, led to diplomatic protests, riots, and threats of economic boycotts. Desecrations of the Quran were cited by Türkiye as one of the reasons for delaying parliamentary ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership.

In October 2023, Swedish migration authorities decided not to extend Momika’s residence permit. The Iraqi refugee, who justified his actions as opposition to Islam, had allegedly provided false information regarding his need for protection. However, Sweden later granted him a new temporary permit, as his deportation to Iraq could not be carried out for security reasons.

The other defendant in the incitement case, Salwan Najem (who holds Swedish citizenship), told SVT that he had been questioned by the police and had received death threats.

teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE

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