Stockholm, Jan 29 – Salwan Momika, the 38-year-old Iraqi immigrant who gained international attention for repeatedly burning copies of the Quran in Sweden, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Wednesday evening. The attack took place in his residence in Södertälje, a city near the Swedish capital, Stockholm.
Swedish police have arrested five individuals in connection with the incident. However, it remains unclear whether the actual shooter is among them. Authorities have yet to release further details regarding the suspects.
Momika became widely known in 2023 for publicly desecrating the Quran, sparking outrage among Muslims worldwide. His killing occurred just hours before a scheduled court verdict related to his Quran-burning cases.
According to Swedish media, Momika was live-streaming on TikTok at the time of the attack. Police later arrived at the scene and ended the live broadcast from his phone. The Swedish police have confirmed his death but have not disclosed additional information regarding the investigation.
The killing raises concerns over security threats and potential retaliatory violence, as Sweden has faced diplomatic tensions and protests over Quran-burning incidents in recent years. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the motive behind the shooting.