Brussels (Brussels Morning) — Salwan Momika, a 38-year-old Iraqi refugee who was well-known in Sweden for his highly controversial Quran-burning demonstrations, was shot and killed at his apartment in Södertälje.
What Happened?
Salwan Momika, a 38-year-old Iraqi immigrant and controversial anti-Islam figure, was shot and killed at his residence in Södertälje, close to Stockholm, on the evening of the 29th of January 2025. He was reportedly live streaming when the murder happened, and five people have been arrested by Swedish authorities in relation to his death.
Who was Salwan Momika?
Salwan Momika, an Iraqi-Assyrian refugee in Sweden, gained infamous for his controversial anti-Islamic activities. When he publicly burnt the Quran during protests in 2023, he attracted international outrage and sparked protests all across the world. Significant diplomatic problems developed between Sweden and a number of Muslim majority nations because of his actions.
In 2023, for example, Iraq recalled its chargé d’affaires, expelled the Swedish ambassador, and saw violent protests, including an attack on the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, in response to his Quran-burning rallies. Additionally, the incidents sparked security concerns in Sweden, as officials said Momika’s activities might make the nation a target for terrorist attacks.
Momika was being prosecuted for inciting hatred against ethnic groups at the time of his death. Due to his murder, a court decision in his case that was initially planned for January 30, 2025, has been postponed.
