A controversial Iraqi-born Islam critic was fatally shot during a livestream broadcast in Sweden, just hours before his scheduled court appearance for Quran burning protests.
According to Breitbart, Salwan Momika, 38, was killed in his Södertälje apartment on Wednesday night while broadcasting on TikTok, with the shooting captured on camera until police arrived to end the stream.
Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder, which investigators believe was carried out by someone who accessed the building through the roof.
Momika, who identified as a liberal atheist, had been granted protection in Sweden since 2018 due to risks of persecution in his native Iraq.
Swedish authorities investigate rising tensions before fatal shooting
The assassination comes amid escalating tensions surrounding Momika's public Quran-burning demonstrations in 2023.
Swedish public television's crime correspondent revealed that criminal networks had placed a bounty on Momika's head. British activist Tommy Robinson had previously warned about the threat to Momika's life during a 2024 interview.
Momika's protests sparked international diplomatic crises for Sweden, leading to riots in Malmo and attacks on the Swedish embassy in Iraq. His actions also complicated Sweden's NATO membership bid, with Turkey citing concerns over Sweden's permissive stance on anti-Islamic expression.
The victim's background included service in an anti-ISIS militia before seeking refuge in Europe. As a member of Iraq's Assyrian Christian minority, he had faced threats of torture and inhumane treatment in his homeland.
Legal proceedings and international response to controversial protests
The timing of Momika's death coincided with his pending court appearance for charges of inciting ethnic hatred. The verdict announcement has been postponed to next month due to his death.
Before his killing, Momika had addressed the apparent contradiction in needing extensive security measures while protesting:
If Islam is a religion of peace, why do I need a bulletproof vest?… Why do I need hundreds of police to protect me when I burn a book of the people of the religion of peace?
Swedish courts had recently handled similar cases, including the conviction of Danish activist Rasmus Paludan for Quran burning. The judge in Paludan's case stated:
It is permissible to publicly criticize, for example, Islam and even Muslims, but the contempt for a group of people must clearly not exceed the limits of a relevant and responsible discourse
Tragic conclusion raises questions about free speech and security
The fatal shooting of Salwan Momika, an Iraqi-born activist and Quran-burning protestor, occurred in Södertälje, Sweden, while he was livestreaming on TikTok. The incident happened on the eve of his court appearance for charges related to inciting ethnic hatred through his controversial demonstrations.
The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the connection between the five arrested suspects and potential broader implications for freedom of expression and security concerns in Sweden.
