Sweeden: Clashes Erupt in Malmo After Quran Burning Incident

STOCKHOLM: In Malmo, intense clashes have broken out following yet another incident of Quran burning, according to local police reports on Monday. The unrest began on Sunday when Salwan Momika, an anti-Islam activist responsible for multiple Quran burnings that have incited protests in Muslim countries, set fire to another copy of the religious book, leading to a furious mob attempting to stop him. The ensuing violent riot saw protesters pelting the police with rocks and setting dozens of cars on fire.

On Monday, angry crowds in Malmo's Rosengard neighborhood continued the protests, setting fire to tires and debris, and hurling electric scooters, bicycles, and barriers. This neighborhood has witnessed similar clashes in the past.

Petra Stenkula, a senior police officer, expressed regret at the violence and vandalism, emphasizing that while public gatherings can evoke strong emotions, such disturbances cannot be tolerated.

Salwan Momika's repeated desecration of the Holy Quran has not only triggered widespread outrage but also strained diplomatic relations between Sweden and other nations. It has prompted a heated debate on freedom of expression in Stockholm, with Swedish authorities justifying his actions on the grounds of freedom of speech.

Last month, during a Quran-burning demonstration outside the Iranian Embassy in Stockholm, a woman sprayed Momika with a fire extinguisher. Although momentarily stunned, he was unhurt and continued his police-authorized protest. Video footage of the incident showed the woman being intercepted by plainclothes police officers and led away.

These Quran burnings have sparked angry protests in Muslim countries, led to attacks on Swedish diplomatic missions, and elicited threats from Islamic extremists. In Sweden, Muslim leaders have called on the government to find ways to prevent further Quran burnings.

Prosecutors are now investigating whether Momika's actions are permissible under Sweden's hate speech laws, which prohibit the incitement of hatred against groups or individuals based on race, religion, or sexual orientation. However, Momika claims that his protests target Islam as a religion and not Muslim individuals.

The Swedish Security Service has also cited disinformation campaigns on social media as a significant factor contributing to the country's negative global image and an increasing risk of threats from the "violent Islamist milieu."

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