Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee who staged multiple public Koran burnings in Sweden in 2023, was shot dead in the town of Sodertalje near Stockholm on Wednesday night. His death occurred hours before he was due to receive a verdict in a criminal trial related to the Koran desecrations.
Swedish police have found the body of Salwan Momika, 38, a Christian activist known for burning the Koran.
Momika was reportedly shot dead in Södertälje during a TikTok livestream. A murder probe is underway, and five arrests have been made.#Sweden #SalwanMomika https://t.co/3PGYB953ar pic.twitter.com/9qm6dI45M6
— British Pakistani Index (@PakistaniIndex) January 30, 2025
Swedish police confirmed that Momika, 38, was fatally shot inside a house. Officers arrived at the scene to find him with gunshot wounds, and he later succumbed to his injuries. A preliminary murder investigation has been launched, and five individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting. Authorities have not confirmed whether the gunman is among those detained.
Momika’s actions in 2023, which included burning copies of the Koran in public demonstrations and on social media, led to widespread protests, riots in Sweden, and condemnation from multiple Muslim-majority countries. His acts also contributed to Sweden raising its terrorism threat level to the second-highest tier, following threats from jihadist groups.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson addressed concerns that Momika’s killing may have been influenced by a foreign state. He stated that security services are heavily involved in the investigation due to the possibility of external involvement.
Momika was facing trial alongside another defendant on charges of “agitation against an ethnic or national group,” linked to the public desecration of Islam’s holy book. The Stockholm court confirmed that his death resulted in the postponement of the verdict.
Local media reports indicate that Momika was livestreaming on TikTok at the moment of the attack. A video seen by Reuters showed police picking up a phone and ending a broadcast that appeared to be from his account.
Burning the Koran is considered blasphemous by Muslims, who regard it as the literal word of God. Sweden, which has laws protecting freedom of expression, had been at the center of diplomatic tensions following these public burnings, with several countries calling for stronger action against such acts.