Salwan Momika Assassinated in Sweden Amid Hate Speech Trial, Authorities on High Alert
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Editor
- . January 30, 2025
- . Update: January 31, 2025 11:30 am
Salwan Momika who is a 38-year-old Iraqi refugee known for burning copies of the Qur’an in Sweden, was shot dead in Sodertalje, near Stockholm, late Wednesday. He was due to receive a court verdict the following day over charges of inciting hatred.
Police in Sweden arrested five suspects in charges of the shooting. However, it is not confirmed that who is the shooter is among them.
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After 2023 Momika gained international attention after staging multiple public Qur’an burnings. This is sparking outrage among Muslims worldwide. His actions led to heightened security concerns in Sweden, with authorities raising the country’s terrorism alert.
The Stockholm court was supposed to announce a verdict on charges against Momika and another man for inciting hatred. However, after his death, the court has postponed the decision.
Reports say Momika was live-streaming on TikTok when he was shot. A video seen by Reuters shows police picking up a phone and ending a livestream, which seemed to be from his account.
Swedish authorities are closely watching the situation to assess any impact on national security.
