GWAHATI, Jan 31: Salwan Momika, the Iraqi man who was involved in several incidents of Quran burning in 2023 was shot dead in a shootout in Sodertalje, Sweden.
His death comes a day before he was to have faced verdict in a case related to the Quran burnings, reports stated.
But who was Salwan Momika?
- Momika was an Iraqi Assyrian-Aramean refugee who grabbed international headlines in 2023 — while also sending the Muslim world into shock and dismay — after staging several burnings and desecrations of the Islamic holy book.
- Momika came to Sweden from Iraq in 2018 and was granted a three-year residence permit in 2021.
- Swedish authorities had initially allowed his demonstrations citing freedom of speech but subsequently withdrew his residence permit although his deportation bid was put on hold.
- He was arrested in Norway in March last year and was sent back to Sweden.
- Charged with incitement to hatred because of the statements he made in connection with the Quran burnings.
- A verdict was supposed to have been made on Thursday (Jan 30) morning.
(With inputs from agencies)
