Sweden issues an arrest warrant for a Syrian suspect in the murder of Quran burner Salwan Momika

The judicial authorities in Sweden announced on Thursday, October 16, the issuance of an arrest order for a young Syrian suspected of being involved in the murder of Salwan Momika, the Iraqi refugee who sparked controversy in the Islamic world after burning copies of the Quran in 2023.

The public prosecutor confirmed that technical investigations and examination of surveillance cameras led to the identification of the suspect, while his whereabouts remain unknown, and authorities are working to track him down.


Details of the crime

The incident occurred on January 29, when Momika was found shot dead inside his apartment in southern Stockholm.
According to court documents in Södertälje, the suspect is 24 years old and holds Syrian nationality.
Authorities had detained five individuals immediately after the crime, but they were released two days later due to insufficient evidence and were later excluded from the investigation.


Coinciding with the trial

Momika was killed hours before a verdict was issued against him in a case of incitement to hatred, alongside his partner Salwan Najm. After the session was postponed due to his murder, the court later issued a conviction against Najm, while Momika was excluded from the case due to his death.


Background of the case

Momika sparked widespread anger in the Islamic world after burning copies of the Quran on multiple occasions in 2023, leading to violent protests at the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and a diplomatic crisis between Iraq and Sweden.