Salwan Momika was an ‘anti-Islam’ campaigner, who had staged burnings and destruction of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, in Sweden. His burnings had been well known as they caused widespread diplomatic debate surrounding freedom of speech.
Local media reported that Momika had been on a live stream on Tik-Tok at the time he was shot.
Momika had been known to law enforcement, and was due to receive his verdict; just hours after he was shot. His co-defendant Salwan Najem, has since been found guilty.
Momika’s lawyer, Anna Roth, has criticised the Swedish Government, stating that her client ‘had not been protected despite having testified there was a price on his head’.
Momika had previously moved to Denmark; in March of 2024, where he continued to burn the Quran before his deportation back to Sweden. His action led Denmark to pass legislation in December of 2024 making it illegal to burn copies of the Quran in public places
In October 2024, Momika’s residence permit was withdrawn, after the Swedish Migration Agency decided that Momika had provided false information in his application for asylum. Despite this, his deportation was postponed, due to dangers to his life if returning to Iraq.
There had been concerns about Sweden’s relations with Muslim countries, since Momika’s display in summer of 2023, which he believed was freedom of speech. Goran Lundahl, who was the judge in the case emphasises that ‘freedom of expression did not constitute a free pass to do or say anything’.
Sweden had also raised their terrorism alert to the second-highest level in 2023, after the Quran burnings, most of which were committed by Momika, had triggered threats from jihadists. At the time his demonstrations were allowed under the notion of ‘Freedom of speech’, however there was alarm among government and security officials, who recognised this behaviour made Sweden vulnerable to Islamic extremists.
Following the Quran burning carried out in 2023, Sweden was criticized by the international community, as well as violent protests carried out, and the Swedish embassy stormed by protestors. This was due to the Swedish Government ‘allowing’ this to happen, as it was in accordance with the country’s free speech laws.
Authorities in Sweden have since said they are connecting the possibility of foreign involvement into the murder, however they are no closer to finding the killer, or potential killers. Five men were arrested on suspicion, however were shortly released with insufficient evidence.
Since his death, Al Malahem, which is the official media arm of Al-Qaeda, has released a four page statement in Arabic, celebrating the death of Momika. The statement referred to Momika as an ‘impure atheist’, and that Allah has punished him for the burning of the Quran and disrespect of Islam.
The Swedish Government has also revealed concerns following his death, that it may cause greater divisions with the Swedish community.
