Salwan Momika - an Iraqi-born man who sparked global outrage by the Holy Quran desecration in Sweden last year - has been shot dead, according to reports.
The incident occurred as a Stockholm court was scheduled to rule on his incitement case, but proceedings were postponed following the news of his death. “One of the defendants has died,” the court said in a statement, without naming him directly.
Momika gained notoriety in 2023 after staging multiple Quran-desecration protests, which led to widespread condemnation from Muslim-majority countries and diplomatic tensions for Sweden.
His most controversial act took place outside Stockholm’s largest mosque during Eid festivities, an incident that triggered protests across the Muslim world.
Originally from Iraq, Momika fled to Sweden in 2018 and was granted residency in 2021. However, following his inflammatory demonstrations, Swedish authorities rejected his asylum application. He subsequently moved to Norway last month.
Identifying himself as a "liberal atheist critic and thinker," Momika claimed his actions were an exercise in free speech. However, his repeated desecration of the Holy Quran drew severe criticism from religious groups, human rights advocates, and international organizations, who viewed his acts as provocative and disrespectful.
Swedish authorities have yet to confirm the details surrounding his killing, while an investigation is reportedly underway.
