An Iraqi refugee residing in Sweden was tragically killed just hours before a court ruling on his repeated desecration of the Quran during anti-Islam demonstrations last year.
Police revealed on Thursday that they had apprehended five suspects in connection with the murder of 38-year-old Salwan Momika, who was reportedly shot in a residence in the town of Sodertalje near Stockholm the day before.
“Rest assured that the security services are deeply involved as there is a potential link to a foreign entity,” stated Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during a press briefing.
Vice Prime Minister Ebba Busch condemned the heinous act, emphasizing that it posed a threat to the country’s democratic values and must be addressed with full force.
The Stockholm District Court, set to deliver a verdict on Momika and co-defendant Salwan Najem’s charges of inciting hatred against an ethnic or national group, postponed the decision to February 3 following Momika’s untimely death.
As per the charges filed in August, the duo had desecrated the Quran, including burning it, while making derogatory comments about Muslims – notably outside a mosque in Stockholm.
Prosecutor Rasmus Oman confirmed that an investigation was launched into Momika’s murder, noting that it was still in its initial stages with information being gathered.
There were reports from several media outlets suggesting that the shooting may have been livestreamed on social media platforms.
Responding to a call about a shooting at Momika’s residence in Sodertalje, police found a man suffering from gunshot wounds.
A video circulating on news agency Reuters depicted authorities confiscating a phone and shutting down a live stream believed to be from Momika’s TikTok account.
In 2023, Sweden raised its terrorism alert to the second-highest level due to the widespread condemnation following the Quran burnings, which incensed many Muslims worldwide.
In reaction, Iraqi protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad twice, setting fires within the compound on one occasion.
Momika, who had been residing in Sweden since 2018, was facing potential deportation in 2023 for providing false information on his residency application.
However, Sweden’s migration agency ultimately granted him temporary residency after determining that he faced the risk of torture and inhumane treatment in Iraq.
In March 2024, Momika departed Sweden to seek asylum in Norway, disillusioned by what he perceived as Sweden’s deceit regarding freedom of expression and protection of human rights.
Nonetheless, Norway deported him back to Sweden a few weeks later.
