Salwan Momika, Infamous Quran Burner, Shot Dead in Sweden

Jan. 30, 2025

ERBIL (KurdistanK24) – Swedish television has reported the killing of former Iraqi militia leader Salwam Momika, who was shot inside an apartment in the Hovsjö area of Södertälje city, in Swedden. However, Swedish police have yet to confirm the victim’s identity.

According to Sveriges Television (SVT), the incident occurred late Wednesday night, when police and emergency services received a call about a shooting inside a residential building. Police spokesperson Daniel Wikdahl, stated to local media that a man in his forties was found with gunshot wounds inside an apartment and was transported to the hospital.

SVT reported that the victim is Salwan Momika, known for burning Quran copies during protests last year, sparking controversy within the Islamic world. 

Unconfirmed reports suggest the shooting may have been streamed live on social media, though police have not verified it. The Swedish Security Service has joined the investigation due to the sensitive nature of the case.

A police spokesperson confirmed that one individual has been detained for questioning, but no further details have been provided regarding his connection to the case or whether he is officially considered a suspect.

Salwan Momika arrived in Sweden from Iraq in 2018 and was granted a three-year residence permit in 2021. He gained notoriety in the summer of 2023 after publicly burning copies of the Quran in multiple protests, actions that led to widespread demonstrations across the Islamic world and strained Sweden’s diplomatic relations, particularly during its NATO accession negotiations.

Read More: Iraq warns of severing ties with Sweden if Quran burning happens again

Momika was scheduled to appear in a Stockholm court on Thursday, where a verdict was expected in a case accusing him and his associate, Salwan Najm, of inciting hatred against an ethnic group due to statements made during their protests.