Salwan Momika, who burned the Quran, shot dead in Sweden

Salwan Momika, an Iraqi national who gained notoriety in 2023 for a series of public Quran burnings, was killed on the evening of 29 January in the Swedish city of Södertälje. According to local police, a man in his late 30s or early 40s with a gunshot wound was found at the scene. Despite medical efforts, he died in hospital.

Killing during a live stream

As reported by Aftonbladet and SVT Nyheter, Momika was shot while live-streaming on the TikTok platform. This occurred the previous evening while he was broadcasting. Police say five people have been detained in connection with the incident.

Incitement case and Quran burnings

A verdict in a case of incitement of a group of people, linked to the burning of the Quran in 2023, was scheduled to be handed down on 30 January at the Stockholm District Court. Momika himself was one of the defendants, having staged several actions involving the burning of the Islamic holy book last year. Following the confirmation of his death, the court will need to adapt its ruling, as it is impossible to sentence a deceased person.

Retaliatory threats and concerns

Another defendant in the case, Salwan Najem, issued a threat on the social media platform X, stating: "I am next" (Я следующий), adding further tension to an already complex situation.

Momika as a refugee: risks and prospects of return to Iraq

Salwan Momika arrived in Sweden in 2018 and soon received temporary protection. In 2021, he was issued a three-year residence permit, and in 2024 his visa was extended by a further year. He stated that he risked torture and ill-treatment if he returned to Iraq, a concern confirmed by the Swedish Migration Agency. In an interview, he claimed to be "possibly the only real refugee in Sweden and Europe who needs help" (возможно, единственным настоящим беженцем в Швеции и Европе, нуждающимся в помощи).