{{Short description|Iraqi refugee and anti-Muslim demonstrator (1986–2025)}} {{Redirect|Salwan}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Salwan Momika | native_name = {{Lang|ar|سلوان موميكا}}<br />{{Lang|syr|ܣܠܘܢ ܡܘܡܝܟܐ}} | image = Salwan Momika in 2023.jpg | caption = Momika holding a picture of Muqtada al-Sadr, 2023 | other_names = | birth_name = Salwan Sabah Matthew Momika<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quran-burning provocateur Momika shot dead in Sweden, state broadcaster reports |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/quran-burning-provocateur-momika-shot-dead-in-sweden-state-broadcaster-reports/3466528 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Anadolu Ajansı |quote=Salwan Sabah Matti Momika, 38, was found dead at his address in the city of Sodertalje, public broadcaster SVT reported.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-04-02 |title=Salwan Momika dead? Why Iraqi refugee, who burned Quran, is trending? |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/salwan-momika-death-iraqi-refugee-who-publicly-burned-quran-multiple-times-reportedly-found-dead-in-norway/articleshow/108962594.cms?from=mdr |access-date= |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-02-09 |title=Han märktes och skapade snabbt publicitet |url=https://www.fokus.se/minnesord/han-marktes-och-skapade-snabbt-publicitet/ |access-date= |website=Fokus |language=sv-SE |quote=Salwan Sabah Matti Momika föddes 1986 i staden al-Hamdaniya i Irak.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gzt |date=2023-09-01 |title=Kur'ân'ı Kerîm'e yönelik saldırıların motivasyon kaynağı: Para |url=https://www.gzt.com/mecra/kurni-kerme-yonelik-saldirilarin-motivasyon-kaynagi-para-3769800 |access-date= |website=GZT |language=tr-TR |quote=Salwan Sabah Matti Momika, Müslümanların kutsal kitabının büyükelçilikler, camiler ve İsveç parlamentosu Riksdag gibi sembolik yerlerin önünde provokatif bir şekilde yakarak dünyanın dört bir yanından gelen eleştiri ve kınama yağmurunu tetikliyor.}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Guðmundsson |first=Atli Steinn |date=30 January 2025 |title=Momika myrtur í beinni á TikTok |url=https://www.mbl.is/frettir/erlent/2025/01/30/momika_myrtur_i_beinni_a_tiktok/ |access-date= |website=MBL |language=is |quote=Salwan Sabah Matthew Momika var fæddur í bænum Qaraqosh í Norður-Írak 23. júní 1986 og hlaut kaþólskt uppeldi undir merkjum sýrlensku kaþólsku kirkjunnar.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Odatv |date=2025-01-30 |title=Kuran provokatörü... Canlı yayın sırasında öldürüldü: Kimdir bu Momika |url=https://www.odatv.com/dunya/isvecte-kuran-provokatoru-canli-yayin-sirasinda-olduruldu-kimdir-bu-momika-120083864 |access-date= |website=OdaTV |language=tr |quote=Salwan Sabah Matthew Momika, 23 Haziran 1986'da Irak'ın Ninova vilayetindeki Karakuş kasabasında doğdu.}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date|1986|06|23|df=y}} | birth_place = Qaraqosh, Nineveh Governorate, Iraq | death_date = {{death date and age|2025|01|29|1986|06|23|df=y}} | death_place = Södertälje, Sweden | death_cause = Gunshot wound | known_for = Quran desecrations | children = 2 | module = {{Infobox military person |embed = yes |allegiance = {{flag|Iraq}} <br />{{flag|Iran}}{{Efn|The PMF historically had ties and evidence of allegiance to Iran; this is especially true during the period he served, when it wasn't officially part of the Iraqi armed forces.|group=lower alpha}} |branch = {{flagicon image|}} Popular Mobilization Forces |unit = {{tree list}} * Imam Ali Brigades ** Kataib Rouh Allah Issa Ibn Miriam {{tree list/end}} |service_years = 2014–2017 |rank = |battles = {{tree list}} * War in Iraq (2013–2017) {{tree list/end}} }} }}
'''Salwan Sabah Matthew Momika''' ({{Langx|ar|سلوان صباح متَّى موميكا}}; {{Langx|syr|ܣܠܘܢ ܨܒܚ ܡܬܝ ܡܘܡܝܟܐ}}; 23 June 1986 – 29 January 2025) was an Iraqi refugee, and an ex-paramilitary member of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). While living in Sweden, he gained fame for being an anti-Islam demonstrator who organized public demonstrations where he burnt and desecrated the Qur'an.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Wikén |first1=Johan |last2=Alshawish |first2=Kovan |date=31 July 2023 |title=Salwan Momika och Salwan Najem – männen bakom sommarens koranbränningar i Sverige |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/salwan-momika-och-salwan-najem-mannen-bakom-koranbranningarna-i-sverige |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208001745/https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/salwan-momika-och-salwan-najem-mannen-bakom-koranbranningarna-i-sverige |archive-date=8 December 2023 |access-date=8 February 2024 |work=SVT Nyheter |language=sv}}</ref> Momika was assassinated on 29 January 2025 during a live broadcast on TikTok.<ref>{{cite web |last=Emanuelsson |first=Eric |date=30 January 2025 |title=Uppgifter: Koranbrännaren Salwan Momika mördad under livesändning |url=https://efn.se/uppgifter-koranbrannaren-salwan-momika-mordad |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130081700/https://efn.se/uppgifter-koranbrannaren-salwan-momika-mordad |archive-date=30 January 2025 |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=EFN.se |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|last= |first= |date=30 January 2025 |title=Koranbrännaren Salwan Momika har skjutits till döds |url=https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/uppgifter-koranbrannaren-salwan-momika-ihjalskjuten |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130081636/https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/uppgifter-koranbrannaren-salwan-momika-ihjalskjuten |archive-date=30 January 2025 |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=Sveriges Radio |language=sv}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite news |date=30 January 2025 |title=Uppgifter: Koranbrännaren Salwan Momika skjuten till döds |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/sodertalje/person-hittad-skjuten-i-sodertalje |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130085358/https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/sodertalje/person-hittad-skjuten-i-sodertalje |archive-date=30 January 2025 |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=SVT Nyheter |language=sv}}</ref>
== Background ==
Momika came from Qaraqosh,{{Efn|Momika's birthplace has also been wrongly given as Tal Afar,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jabar |first=Amin |date=23 July 2023 |title=Falling into the political agenda trap of a sectarian |url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/opinion/23072023 |access-date= |website=Rûdaw}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-30 |title=Salwan Momika: From gun-toting Iraqi militia leader to Quran-burner killed in Sweden |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/salwan-momika-iraqi-sweden-norway-quran-burnt-free-speech-struggle-against-islam-ex-muslim-2672410-2025-01-30 |access-date= |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> an Iraqi Turkmen city around 111 km from Qaraqosh}} a town in the Al-Hamdaniya district in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/iraqi-man-who-sparked-riots-with-koran-burnings-shot-dead-in-sweden-13299458|title=Iraqi man who sparked riots with Koran burnings shot dead in Sweden|website=Sky News|accessdate=30 January 2025}}</ref> He was an ethnic Assyrian and raised as a Syriac Catholic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://x.com/salwan_momika1/status/1849920027916632511?s=46|title=x.com|work=X (formerly Twitter) |accessdate=30 January 2025}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs-y2F-7ijI |title=بكل وضوح (حلقة 191) -لماذا يحرقون القرآن؟- الخميس 27 يوليو 2023– قناة الكرمة |date=28 July 2023 |last=Alkarma TV قناة الكرمة |access-date=21 July 2024 |via=YouTube |archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721195255/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs-y2F-7ijI |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Guðmundsson |first=Atli Steinn |date=30 January 2025 |title=Momika myrtur í beinni á TikTok |url=https://www.mbl.is/frettir/erlent/2025/01/30/momika_myrtur_i_beinni_a_tiktok/ |access-date= |website=MBL |language=is |quote=Salwan Sabah Matthew Momika var fæddur í bænum Qaraqosh í Norður-Írak 23. júní 1986 og hlaut kaþólskt uppeldi undir merkjum sýrlensku kaþólsku kirkjunnar.}}</ref> Before the Iraqi civil war, Momika undertook an apprenticeship in tourism and hospitality management in Baghdad.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Hivert |first=Anne-Françoise |date=2025-01-30 |title=Iraqi man who repeatedly burned Quran in Sweden killed in his apartment |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/01/30/iraqi-man-who-repeatedly-burned-quran-in-sweden-killed-in-his-apartment_6737602_4.html |access-date= |work=Le Monde |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Descamps |first=Lucile |date=2025-01-30 |title=Coran piétiné et brûlé en Suède : qui est Salwan Momika, tué par balles près de Stockholm ? |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/coran-pietine-et-brule-en-suede-qui-est-salwan-momika-tue-par-balles-pres-de-stockholm-30-01-2025-H6EV63HG5BDAROXWTCSFRNTO4Y.php |access-date= |website=Le Parisien |language=fr-FR}}</ref> In 2008, when Christians became persecuted by the Islamic State of Iraq (the precursor of ISIS), Momika joined the Assyrian Patriotic Party and worked as a security guard for the party's headquarters in Mosul. According to Iraqi government sources, Momika fled his hometown in 2012 after the local court found him guilty of causing a wrongful death during a car accident and sentenced him to three years of imprisonment in Badush.<ref>{{Cite web |last=al-Salhy |first=Suadad |date=29 July 2023 |title=Why Iraq thinks a plot is fanning the flames of its diplomatic crises |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/iraq-thinks-plot-fanning-flames-diplomatic-crises-why |access-date= |website=Middle East Eye |language=en |archive-date=2 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602173454/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/iraq-thinks-plot-fanning-flames-diplomatic-crises-why |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Svensson |first=Birgit |date=4 July 2023 |title=Koran-burning in Sweden: The Iraqi Christian turned radical {{!}} Qantara.de |url=https://qantara.de/en/article/koran-burning-sweden-iraqi-christian-turned-radical |access-date=2 June 2024 |website=Qantara.de |language=en |archive-date=2 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602173348/https://qantara.de/en/article/koran-burning-sweden-iraqi-christian-turned-radical |url-status=live}}</ref>
After the fall of Mosul to Islamic State (IS) militants in June 2014, Momika joined the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to fight against the IS.<ref name=":02">{{cite web|access-date=2 September 2023|date=2 September 2023|language=sv|title=Koranbrännaren kan kopplas till regimen i Iran|url=https://www.dn.se/sverige/koranbrannaren-kan-kopplas-till-regimen-i-iran/|work=Dagens Nyheter|archive-date=25 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425110330/https://www.dn.se/sverige/koranbrannaren-kan-kopplas-till-regimen-i-iran/|url-status=live}}<!-- auto-translated from Swedish by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> He appeared in videos in the uniform of the Assyrian militia Kataib Rouh Allah Issa Ibn Miriam brandishing firearms and pledging allegiance to the Kata'ib al-Imam Ali, a PMF faction and part of the Islamic Movement of Iraq.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhXkaWzSjMg |title=حركة المقاومة المسيحية (كتائب اسود السريان) الشيخ سلوان موميكا |date=1 July 2015 |last=صوت السريان The voice of the Syriac |access-date=21 July 2024 |via=YouTube |archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721195255/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhXkaWzSjMg |url-status=live }}</ref>
It has been alleged that Momika was also affiliated with the Syriac Assembly Movement, a political party that received support from the government of the Kurdistan Region.<ref name="MaxJoseph">{{Cite web |last=Joseph |first=Max |date=10 May 2018 |title=What does the upcoming Iraqi election mean for Assyrians in 2018? |url=https://deadmanmax.medium.com/what-does-the-upcoming-iraqi-election-mean-for-assyrians-in-2018-9c97ee3c0777 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916030814/https://deadmanmax.medium.com/what-does-the-upcoming-iraqi-election-mean-for-assyrians-in-2018-9c97ee3c0777 |archive-date=16 September 2024 |access-date=30 January 2025 |quote=This list, three members short of a full ten, has Salwan Momika as its key figure in the background.}}</ref> Momika also founded the Syriac Democratic Union and the Falcons of the Syriac Forces in 2014, an armed militia which was affiliated with the Babylon Brigade, the armed wing of the Babylon Movement.<ref name="arabnews">{{cite news|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2333646/world|title=As uncertainty shrouds his future, a past full of contradictions haunts Qur'an burner Salwan Momika|date=7 July 2023|work=Arab News|archive-date=3 March 2024|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303021950/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2333646/world|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, Momika was involved in an internal power struggle with Babylon Movement founder Rayan al-Kildani, which he lost. He fled the country as a result.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Naffakh |first=Mahmoud |date=10 July 2023 |title=From militia leader to refugee: The backstory of the man who burned a Quran in Sweden |url=https://observers.france24.com/en/middle-east/20230710-sweden-iraq-brun-koran-militia-leader-refugee |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909062239/https://observers.france24.com/en/middle-east/20230710-sweden-iraq-brun-koran-militia-leader-refugee |archive-date=9 September 2023 |access-date= |website=The Observers – France 24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-01-30 |title=Salwan Momika, known for public Quran burnings, killed in shooting during live broadcast |url=https://syriacpress.com/blog/2025/01/30/salwan-momika-known-for-public-quran-burnings-killed-in-shooting-during-live-broadcast/ |access-date= |website=Syriac Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Life in Sweden and Quran burnings == === Immigration to Sweden === In 2017, Momika fled to Germany with a Schengen visa, where he announced his atheism and apostasy from Christianity.<ref name="auto1"/> In April 2018, Momika applied for a refugee visa to Sweden, and he was since then, registered as an Iraqi refugee until April 2021 when he was granted a three-year temporary residence permit, which was due to expire in April 2024.<ref name="svt">{{cite news|url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/bilderna-som-kan-falla-koranbrannaren-salwan-momika|title=Bilderna på koranbrännaren utreds av Migrationsverket|date=18 August 2023|work=SVT|first1=Johan|last1=Wikén|first2=Kovan|last2=Alshawish|language=sv|archive-date=4 March 2024|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304033018/https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/bilderna-som-kan-falla-koranbrannaren-salwan-momika|url-status=live}}</ref> Momika was denied a permanent residence, necessary to acquire Swedish citizenship, because he lied in his asylum application by denying that he was in the Imam Ali Brigades, claiming that he was associated with the political branch and not the paramilitary branch of the movement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/30/europe/salwan-momika-quran-burnings-sweden-dead-intl?cid=ios_app|title=Man who staged Quran burning protests in Sweden shot dead, authorities say|first=Catherine|last=Nicholls|date=30 January 2025|website=CNN|accessdate=30 January 2025}}</ref> He was seen in pictures outside the Riksdag along with {{ill|Robert Halef|sv}}, a member of the Riksdag for the Christian Democrats. He also had a meeting with Julia Kronlid, a member of the Riksdag for the Sweden Democrats.<ref name="svt"/> Momika later stated that he wanted to run for election to the Riksdag as a candidate for the party.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 July 2023 |title=Koranbrännaren om sitt SD-medlemskap: "Vill kandidera till riksdagen" |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/AP5pzx |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Aftonbladet |language=sv}}</ref>
After he was granted a residence permit in Sweden, while still under investigation for his associations with the pro-Iranian militant group, he threatened a man with whom he shared accommodation with a knife, which resulted in him being convicted for unlawful threats the following year. He was sentenced to probation and community service.<ref name="svt"/>
=== Quran burnings === {{main|2023 Quran burnings in Sweden}}
[[File:Quran burning by Salwan Momika in 2023 (11 av 18).jpg|thumb|200px|Momika burning a Quran with Spanish tafsir and translation{{efn|''El Corán en árabe y español con Tafsir y Traducción'', {{ISBN|9798360654230}}.}} in Stockholm, 2023]] In summer 2023, planned ahead for that year's date for Eid al-Adha, Momika staged demonstrations in Stockholm and Malmö, during which he burned copies of the Quran, considered desecration in Islam, with legal permission and police protection.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Adler |first=Nils |title=Quran desecrated at Sweden mosque during Eid al-Adha |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/quran-desecrated-in-sweden-during-eid-al-adha-holiday |access-date= |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 July 2023 |title=Sweden's Quran burnings put freedom of expression law to test |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66310285 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226134703/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66310285 |archive-date=26 December 2024 |access-date=30 January 2025 |work=BBC|first=Ilgin|last=Karlidag |pages= |language=en-GB}}</ref> The events were livestreamed on social media, with Momika giving his motivation for the book burnings as wanting to advocate for the ban of the Quran.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2024 |title=Sweden charges two men over 2023 Quran burnings |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/28/sweden-charges-men-over-2023-quran-burnings-condemned-by-muslim-countries |access-date= |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Apelblat |first=Mose |date=2 February 2025 |title=Unsolved murder of Quran burner in Sweden reignites freedom of expression debate |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/1423547/unsolved-murder-of-quran-burner-in-sweden-reignites-freedom-of-expression-debate |access-date= |website=The Brussels Times |language=en}}</ref> During one such burning of the Quran, he was interrupted by a woman who sprayed him with a fire extinguisher.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 August 2023 |title=A woman interrupts a Quran-burning protest in Sweden by spraying activist with a fire extinguisher |url=https://apnews.com/article/sweden-quran-burning-security-3a41dca92470b24853431df4f98ba129 |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=6 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206154545/https://apnews.com/article/sweden-quran-burning-security-3a41dca92470b24853431df4f98ba129 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first demonstration was watched by around 200 people, mostly hecklers,<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=29 June 2023 |title=Swedish Quran burning met with scorn |url=https://cne.news/article/3291-swedish-quran-burning-met-with-scorn |access-date= |website=CNE News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-28 |title=KEY POINTS: Why did Sweden's police allow another Quran burning? |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20230628/key-points-why-did-swedens-police-allow-another-quran-burning |access-date= |website=The Local Sweden |language=en}}</ref> with Momika posting dozens of videos online, often with majority-Muslim country names in Arabic as hashtags, prior to the Quran burnings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Koranbränning i Malmö stormades – och avbröts |url=https://www.tv4.se/artikel/596NfxHJLbGrsVaIFPqM6C/koranbraenning-i-malmoe-stormades-salwan-momika-eskorte-i-polisbil |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=www.tv4.se |date=3 September 2023 |language=sv |archive-date=27 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227145159/https://www.tv4.se/artikel/596NfxHJLbGrsVaIFPqM6C/koranbraenning-i-malmoe-stormades-salwan-momika-eskorte-i-polisbil |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2023 |title=Salwan Momika: Quran burnings for freedom or money? |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/salwan-momika-quran-burnings-for-freedom-or-money/2981044 |access-date= |website=Anadolu Ajansı}}</ref>
In early 2024, the Swedish Migration Agency decided that Momika was to be expelled from the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 February 2024 |title=Domstol fastslår: Salwan Momika ska utvisas |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/kElL2k |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Aftonbladet |language=sv}}</ref> However, due to threats against him in Iraq, the expulsion could not be exercised, and he thus received a new temporary residence permit until April 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.svd.se/a/JQj2kj/salwan-momika-ska-utvisas|title=Slår fast: Salwan Momika ska utvisas|work=Svenska Dagbladet|publisher=TT|date=7 February 2024|language=sv|archive-date=23 February 2024|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223124010/https://www.svd.se/a/JQj2kj/salwan-momika-ska-utvisas|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Deportation from Norway === On 27 March 2024, it was reported that Momika had left Sweden for Norway to seek asylum.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/sverige/har-lamnar-salwan-momika-sverige/|title=Här lämnar Salwan Momika Sverige|work=Expressen|first=Kassem|last=Hamadé|date=27 March 2024|language=sv|archive-date=7 April 2024|access-date=3 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407061215/https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/sverige/har-lamnar-salwan-momika-sverige/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after his departure, there were reports in social media that he had been found dead in Norway, but Norwegian police appeared to deny the rumours.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/quran-burner-salwan-momika-dead-reports-norway-critic-iraqi-ex-muslim-2522095-2024-04-02|title=No official word on Quran-burner Salwan Momika's death rumours|work=India Today|date=2 April 2024|archive-date=12 April 2024|access-date=2 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412063803/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/quran-burner-salwan-momika-dead-reports-norway-critic-iraqi-ex-muslim-2522095-2024-04-02|url-status=live}}</ref> On 4 April, Norwegian police announced they had arrested Momika on 28 March, and that they planned to deport him back to Sweden based on the Dublin Regulation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/i/15QMRB/koranbrenner-salwan-momika-paagrepet-sendes-tilbake-til-sverige|title=Koranbrenner Salwan Momika pågrepet – sendes tilbake til Sverige|work=Verdens Gang|date=4 April 2024|language=no|archive-date=17 April 2024|access-date=4 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417053107/https://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/i/15QMRB/koranbrenner-salwan-momika-paagrepet-sendes-tilbake-til-sverige|url-status=live}}</ref> He was transported back to Sweden on 11 April.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/sverige/salwan-momika-ar-tillbaka-i--sverige-ilskan-mot-norge/|title=Salwan Momika är tillbaka i Sverige – ilskan mot Norge|first=Kassem|last=Hamadé|work=Expressen|date=11 April 2024|language=sv|archive-date=11 April 2024|access-date=12 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411193917/https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/sverige/salwan-momika-ar-tillbaka-i--sverige-ilskan-mot-norge/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Assassination== {{Main|Killing of Salwan Momika}}
Momika was shot dead on 29 January 2025, at the age of 38.<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2025 |title=Man who burned Quran 'shot dead in Sweden' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpdx2wqpg7zo |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=BBC News|first1=Maia|last1=Davies|first2=Danny|last2=Aeberhard |language=en-GB}}</ref> The murder happened at his home in Södertälje during a TikTok livestream.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/world/man-who-burnt-quran-in-2023-sparked-protests-shot-dead-sweden-1.10297634|title=BREAKING | Man who burnt Quran in 2023 and sparked protests shot dead in Sweden|date=30 January 2025|work= mathrubhumi.com |accessdate=30 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=An Iraqi man who carried out Quran burnings in Sweden is killed in a shooting|date=30 January 2025|accessdate=30 January 2025 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/30/sweden-quran-burnings-salwan-momika-dead-shooting/b6db2d40-dee4-11ef-8889-d5c3924edafd_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Während TikTok-Livestream: Mit Koran-Verbrennungen bekannt gewordener Iraker in Schweden erschossen – Video – WELT |url=https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/video255287184/Waehrend-TikTok-Livestream-Mit-Koran-Verbrennungen-bekannt-gewordener-Iraker-in-Schweden-erschossen.html |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=DIE WELT |language=de}}</ref> Five arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, according to a Swedish prosecutor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2025 |title=Koran burner shot dead in Sweden, five arrested |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250130-koran-burner-shot-dead-in-sweden-five-arrested |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=France24 |language=en-GB |archive-date=30 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130172722/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250130-koran-burner-shot-dead-in-sweden-five-arrested |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2025 |title=Salwan Momika: Man who burned Quran killed in Sweden |url=https://www.dw.com/en/sweden-quran-burning-murder-arrests/a-71454446 |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=DW |language=en-GB}}</ref> All five individuals were released on 31 January after prosecutors said that the suspicions they committed a crime had weakened.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2025-02-01|title=Sweden releases 5 arrested following the killing of an Iraqi who carried out Quran burnings|url=https://apnews.com/article/sweden-momika-killing-quran-burnings-investigation-releases-dd2d0416173a2d1a7d3b497215e4addf|access-date=2025-02-01|website=AP News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-01 |title=Podejrzani o zabójstwo Salwana Momiki zwolnieni - Skandynawiainfo |url=https://skandynawiainfo.pl/podejrzani-o-zabojstwo-salwana-momiki-zwolnieni/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=skandynawiainfo.pl/ |language=pl-PL}}</ref> As a result of his death, the Stockholm District Court dropped all charges against Salwan Momika.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2025-01-30|title=Koranbrännaren Salwan Momika ihjälskjuten|url=https://www.gp.se/krim/koranbrannaren-salwan-momika-ihjalskjuten.82db52ad-2c3c-47c2-8d67-ad0d79797f8e|access-date=2025-01-30|website=Göteborgs-Posten|language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2025-01-30|title=Koran burner shot dead in Sweden|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250130-koran-burner-shot-dead-in-sweden|access-date=2025-01-30|website=France 24|language=en-GB}}</ref>
Momika's death was met with protests and mixed reactions, with various figures as well as organisations in the Islamic world celebrating his death and conservative politicians in the EU condemning his death as well as the circumstances that made it possible.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-31 |title=Turkish government-funded media praises killing of Quran burner in Sweden - Nordic Monitor |url=https://nordicmonitor.com/2025/01/turkish-government-funded-media-praises-killing-of-quran-burner-in-sweden/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=nordicmonitor.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Momika's death was celebrated by Al-Qaeda's Arabian Peninsula branch, who issued a statement congratulating the Ummah on "the victory of the Qur'an".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Al-Qaeda In Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Celebrates Killing Of Sweden-Based Quran Burner Salwan Momika, Calls To Target Others Who Insult Islam |url=https://www.memri.org/jttm/al-qaeda-arabian-peninsula-aqap-celebrates-killing-sweden-based-quran-burner-salwan-momika |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=MEMRI |language=en}}</ref> This sentiment was shared by many Islamists online, with some campaigning online for incitement against Momika in wake of his death.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Monitoring – Essential Media Insight |url=https://monitoring.bbc.co.uk/product/b00039xs |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=monitoring.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
On 3 February 2025, 50-year-old Salwan Najem, a Swedish citizen of Iraqi origin who had participated in Quran desecrations alongside Momika, received a suspended sentence and a fine of 4,000 kronor by Stocholm District Court for "agitation against a demographic group". The judgement ruled that although the book burnings did not constitute hate crimes, Najem had committed hate crimes by "having expressed contempt for the Muslim demographic group because of their religious beliefs on four occasions" during the filmed demonstrations.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2025 |title=Iraqi Quran burner Salwan Momika shot dead in Sweden |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/iraqi-quran-burner-salwan-momika-shot-dead-sweden |website=The New Arab}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 February 2025 |title=Man found guilty of hate crime over Sweden Koran burnings |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/man-found-guilty-hate-crime-connection-with-koran-burnings-sweden-2025-02-03/#:~:text=Salwan%20Najem%2C%20a%2050%2Dyear,towards%20Sweden%20in%20Muslim%20countries. |website=Reuters}}</ref>
== See also == * Rasmus Paludan *Theo van Gogh *Assassination of Pim Fortuyn
==Notes== {{notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons}} * {{Twitter|salwan_momika1}} * {{IMDb name| 15312967}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Momika, Salwan}} Category:Salwan Momika Category:1986 births Category:2025 deaths Category:21st-century atheists Category:21st-century Eastern Catholics Category:21st-century Iraqi criminals Category:21st-century Iraqi politicians Category:Anti-Islam sentiment in Sweden Category:Assassinated Iraqi politicians Category:Assyrian activists Category:Atheism activists Category:Critics of Islam Category:Escapees from Iraqi detention Category:Former Christians Category:Fugitives wanted by Iraq Category:Iraqi activists Category:Iraqi Assyrian politicians Category:Iraqi atheists Category:Iraqi expatriates in Germany Category:Iraqi expatriates in Norway Category:Iraqi expatriates in Sweden Category:Iraqi male criminals Category:Iraqi people imprisoned abroad Category:Iraqi people murdered abroad Category:Iraqi politicians convicted of crimes Category:Iraqi refugees Category:Iraqi TikTokers Category:Members of the Popular Mobilization Forces Category:People deported from Norway Category:People from Nineveh Governorate Category:People from Södertälje Category:People murdered in Sweden Category:Politicians assassinated in 2025 Category:Prisoners and detainees of Sweden Category:Iraqi Assyrian people