Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee known for his anti-Islam activities, was shot dead in Sweden on Wednesday evening, hours before a court was set to deliver a verdict in his trial over desecrating the Quran. Five individuals were arrested in connection with the incident, though Swedish police have not confirmed whether the shooter is among those detained.
Momika, 38, was shot at a house in Sodertalje, near Stockholm, according to Swedish public broadcaster SVT, citing police sources. He had previously gained attention in 2023 for publicly burning copies of the Quran in protests against Islam.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson commented on the incident, stating, “I can assure you that security services are deeply involved as there is a risk that this may be connected to a foreign power.”
A court in Stockholm had been set to issue a verdict on Thursday in a case against Momika and another man, charged with “agitation against an ethnic or national group,” but the announcement of the verdict has been postponed.
Swedish authorities confirmed a man was shot dead in Sodertalje but provided few additional details. The other defendant in the case shared his concerns publicly, stating, “I’m next,” on social media.
The Swedish Security Service is closely monitoring the investigation, though police are leading the probe. They emphasized that the development of the case could impact Swedish national security. Swedish media reported that Momika was streaming live on TikTok at the time of the shooting, and a video appeared to show police ending his livestream.
In 2023, Sweden raised its terrorism alert after a series of Quran desecrations, including those by Momika, sparked outrage among Muslims and led to threats from militant groups. While the Swedish government initially defended these acts as a form of free speech, they later acknowledged the growing security risks.
In addition to his controversial actions in Sweden, Momika faced legal troubles related to his residency status. The Swedish Migration Agency revoked his residency permit in October 2023 due to false information in his application, though he was granted temporary protection due to the risk of torture if deported to Iraq. Despite this, he attempted to seek asylum in Norway in early 2024, but was deported back to Sweden shortly after.
Momika’s political background includes ties to a Christian armed group during the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq, involvement in anti-corruption protests, and a brief arrest.
In another notable case, a Swedish court convicted a man in October 2023 for inciting ethnic hatred with a Quran desecration incident, marking the first time such a charge had been prosecuted in Sweden. Swedish law typically protects acts of burning the Quran as free speech unless the context includes hate speech or incitement against a specific ethnic or religious group.
The circumstances surrounding Momika’s death are still under investigation, with authorities looking into the potential implications for national security.
