Key Points:

• Salwan Momika, known for burning Korans, was shot dead just before a court verdict.
• Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting in Södertälje.
• Sweden’s Prime Minister points to potential involvement of a foreign power.
• Momika was livestreaming on TikTok when the incident occurred.
• The court’s verdict on Momika and another defendant has been postponed.

A prominent anti-Islam activist, Salwan Momika, was shot dead on January 29, 2025, just hours before a ruling was expected in his trial concerning the burning of the Koran, a significant act that has sparked outrage globally. The incident occurred in a residence in Södertälje, near Stockholm, and has led to the arrest of five suspects for their alleged involvement in the shooting. Police confirmed that a homicide investigation is underway after Momika was found deceased at the scene.

At the time of his shooting, reports indicate that Momika was conducting a live stream via TikTok, creating a chilling backdrop to his death. The circumstances surrounding this event have drawn significant attention, with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson suggesting a possible link to “a foreign power.” He remarked, “There is obviously a risk that there is a connection to a foreign power,” indicating the seriousness with which authorities are treating the incident. The intelligence services are closely monitoring developments to assess any implications for national security.

The original verdict for the trial, intended to determine if Momika’s actions constituted “agitation against an ethnic or national group,” has been postponed indefinitely following his death. This trial was a critical moment in a series of Koran burnings orchestrated by Momika, which not only heightened existing tensions within Sweden but also triggered a surge of protests in various Middle Eastern countries.

In 2023, Sweden’s security levels were raised to the second-highest alert due to threats responding to the Koran burnings, which angered many Muslims and drew the attention of extremist groups. Despite the incendiary nature of his actions, Sweden’s government initially classified such Koran burnings as an expression of free speech, although the legal boundaries surrounding this form of protest remain contentious. Authorities sought to deport Momika over discrepancies in his residency status but were unable to proceed, citing a risk of torture if he returned to Iraq.

As investigations continue into the motives and those involved in Momika's shooting, the situation remains tense both locally and internationally, casting a long shadow over Sweden’s handling of freedom of speech and religious sensitivities. For further reading on this ongoing story, visit The Guardian.