Sweden points to foreign power after Iraqi refugee on trial for Quran burnings shot dead
GuardianFEB 1
Quran-Burning Protester Shot Dead in Sweden
Above: Protester Salwan Momika holds up the Muslim holy book and a sheet of paper showing the flag of Iraq during a protest outside the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, on July 20, 2023 Image copyright: OSCAR OLSSON/Contributor/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Salwan Momika, a 38-year-old Iraqi refugee who gained international attention for burning copies of the Quran in Sweden during 2023, was fatally shot in his apartment in Södertälje, near Stockholm, on Wednesday night around 11:11 pm local time.
Swedish authorities have arrested five individuals in connection with the shooting, which is believed to have occurred while Momika was livestreaming on TikTok.
Momika, who arrived in Sweden in 2018 and received a three-year residence permit in 2021, was scheduled to receive a verdict on Thursday in a trial where he faced charges of agitation against an ethnic group related to his Quran burnings.
The Spin
Narrative A
The killing represents a direct attack on Sweden's fundamental principles of free speech and democratic values. Despite the controversial nature of Momika's actions, they were protected under Swedish law, and his murder sets a dangerous precedent for violent responses to protected expressions.
Narrative B
While nothing excuses violence, Momika's provocative actions were deliberate attempts to incite religious hatred and conflict, going beyond legitimate free speech. His background in extremist movements and associations with far-right ideologies suggest his actions were motivated by an agenda to provoke and divide communities rather than genuine advocacy.
Metaculus Prediction
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