Two men in Sweden are facing trial after being charged with multiple incidents involving the burning of the Quran during protests last year, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
The Quran-burning protests, which took place in the summer of 2023, were widely condemned across the Muslim world and strained Sweden’s diplomatic relations with several Middle Eastern countries. The demonstrations also led to heightened security measures within Sweden, as the country became a potential target for terrorist attacks.
Swedish prosecutors announced on Wednesday that Salwan Momika and Salwan Najem have been charged with “offenses of agitation against an ethnic or national group” on four separate occasions.
The charges allege that the two men desecrated the Quran, including burning copies of the holy book, and made derogatory remarks about Muslims, including during an incident outside a mosque in Stockholm.
“Both men are prosecuted for having on these four occasions made statements and treated the Quran in a manner intended to express contempt for Muslims because of their faith,” said Senior Prosecutor Anna Hankkio in a statement. She emphasized the importance of bringing the case to court, noting that video recordings would serve as key evidence.
One of the defendants, Najem, has defended his actions through his lawyer, Mark Safaryan, who argued that his client’s rights are protected under Swedish law. “The permit granted in connection with the demonstration is covered by my client’s intent. His rights are protected by the Swedish Constitution,” Safaryan told Reuters.
Momika, a Christian refugee from Iraq, claimed that his actions were a protest against the institution of Islam and aimed to advocate for a ban on its holy book. However, his residency status in Sweden is also under scrutiny.
The Swedish Migration Agency has announced plans to deport Momika for allegedly providing false information on his residency application. The deportation order has not been executed due to concerns that Momika could face torture if returned to Iraq.