Salwan Momika, an Iraqi-born man who sparked global outrage with his Quran desecration protests in Sweden last year, has been shot dead, according to reports.
The incident occurred just as a Stockholm court was scheduled to rule on his incitement case, but proceedings were postponed following news of his death. “One of the defendants has died,” the court said in a statement, without naming him directly.
Momika gained notoriety in 2023 after staging multiple Quran desecration protests, which led to widespread condemnation from Muslim-majority countries and diplomatic tensions for Sweden.
His most controversial act took place outside Stockholm’s largest mosque during Eid celebrations, triggering protests across the Muslim world.
Originally from Iraq, Momika fled to Sweden in 2018 and was granted residency in 2021. However, after his inflammatory demonstrations, Swedish authorities rejected his asylum application. He subsequently moved to Norway last month.
Quran burner Salwan Momika to be expelled from Sweden
Identifying himself as a “liberal atheist critic and thinker,” Momika claimed his actions were an exercise in free speech. However, his repeated desecration of the Quran drew severe criticism from religious groups, human rights advocates, and international organizations, who viewed his actions as provocative and disrespectful.
Swedish authorities have yet to confirm the details surrounding his killing, and an investigation is reportedly underway.
