Report: Quran-burning protester is ordered to leave Sweden but deportation on hold for now

Reuters

Sweden to expel man behind recent Koran burning demos - TV4

The Swedish Proesecution Authority (SPA) announced Wednesday that two men, Salwan Momika and Salwan Najem, will be prosecuted on "offences of agitation against an ethnic or national group" after the pair were seen burning the Quran last year.

The men, one of whom is a Christian Iraqi, were seen setting fire to the Islamic holy book on video and in person at protests, including at a Mosque in Stockholm. Besides desecrating and burning the books, they're also accused of disparaging Muslims.

Daily Sabah

In response, one of the men's lawyers argued that his "client's" actions were "protected by the Swedish constitution," which establishes freedoms of speech and assembly.

Dw.Com

Sweden's migration authority wanted to deport Momika last year, but decided against it due to fears that he would be tortured upon returning to his home country.

Middle East Monitor

The incidents sparked comndemnation from both Sweden and Muslim countries. In Iraq, protesters stormed the Swedish embassy and set fires inside, prompting Sweden to raise its threat level.

This follows similar prosecutions, including against a Swedish-Danish right-wing activist earlier this month for actions committed in 2022, as well as the conviction of a man last year for burning the Qaran in 2020.

Sweden Prosecuting Two Men for Quran Burning

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Sweden Prosecuting Two Men for Quran Burning

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