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BAGHDAD, Iraq - Protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Friday, venting their anger after an Iraqi man burned a copy of the Quran in Stockholm.
Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika stomped on and burnt pages of the Islamic holy book outside a mosque in Stockholm on Wednesday as Muslims around the world were celebrating the first day of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha, sparking angry reactions from Muslim-majority countries.
Iraq’s firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called on his supporters to take to the streets in protest on Thursday and Friday to demand the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador and the extradition of Momika, and to burn flags of the LGBT+ community.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the breaching of his country’s embassy in Baghdad “unacceptable” and urged calm and reflection in Sweden.
Swedish authorities had authorized Momika’s protest under the principles of freedom of expression and assembly. "Just because some things are legal, they are not necessarily appropriate,” said Kristersson.
Iraq’s foreign ministry received a letter from their Swedish counterparts condemning Momika’s actions and stating that police have begun an investigation into whether he violated Sweden’s hate crime law.
Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika stomped on and burnt pages of the Islamic holy book outside a mosque in Stockholm on Wednesday as Muslims around the world were celebrating the first day of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha, sparking angry reactions from Muslim-majority countries.
Iraq’s firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called on his supporters to take to the streets in protest on Thursday and Friday to demand the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador and the extradition of Momika, and to burn flags of the LGBT+ community.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the breaching of his country’s embassy in Baghdad “unacceptable” and urged calm and reflection in Sweden.
Swedish authorities had authorized Momika’s protest under the principles of freedom of expression and assembly. "Just because some things are legal, they are not necessarily appropriate,” said Kristersson.
Iraq’s foreign ministry received a letter from their Swedish counterparts condemning Momika’s actions and stating that police have begun an investigation into whether he violated Sweden’s hate crime law.
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