Stockholm, Sweden – The life of Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee who gained global notoriety for his Quran-burning protests, came to a violent end late Wednesday when he was shot dead in Sweden. His controversial actions triggered diplomatic crises, mass protests, and legal battles, making him one of the most polarizing figures in recent history.
Momika first made headlines in June 2023 when he stomped on a Quran, wrapped it in bacon, and set parts of it on fire in a public demonstration. The provocative act, carried out in Stockholm, was streamed live on social media and quickly went viral. His actions were met with outrage across the Muslim world, with countries like Iraq and Turkey condemning Sweden for allowing such demonstrations under its freedom of speech laws.
The backlash was immediate. Iraq expelled Sweden’s ambassador and revoked the telecom giant Ericsson’s operating license in the country. In Baghdad, enraged protesters stormed the Swedish embassy twice, setting fires within the compound. Meanwhile, Turkey’s criticism of Sweden’s handling of the controversy complicated its NATO membership bid.
Despite global condemnation, Momika remained defiant, staging more Quran-burning protests outside mosques and embassies. He claimed that his demonstrations were meant to “warn Swedish society about the dangers of Islam” and insisted that he was exercising his right to free speech. However, his protests placed Sweden’s government in a difficult position. While authorities condemned his actions, they upheld his right to express himself under the country’s constitutional protections.
Momika had a history of political involvement in Iraq, where he was linked to a Christian armed faction during the fight against ISIS and later took part in anti-corruption protests. After moving to Sweden in 2018, he sought asylum but later claimed that the country’s commitment to human rights was a “big lie.”
His actions eventually led to legal trouble. In August 2024, Swedish authorities charged him with inciting hatred against an ethnic group on multiple occasions. A court was set to deliver a verdict in his case the morning after he was assassinated. Following his death, prosecutors dropped the charges.
Amid growing threats to his life, Momika fled to Norway in early 2024, seeking asylum. He alleged that Sweden was failing to protect him, but Norwegian authorities deported him back within weeks. His lawyer later confirmed that, despite the risks, he had no police protection at the time of his murder.
Momika’s assassination is now under investigation, with authorities yet to determine the motive behind the attack. His killing is expected to fuel further debates over free speech, religious sensitivities, and immigration policies in Europe. Even in death, the legacy of Salwan Momika remains a subject of global controversy.
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