A Swedish court has found an anti-Islam activist guilty of hate crimes for organizing public Quran burnings, just days after another man facing similar charges was fatally shot.
Salwan Najem, a Swedish citizen, was sentenced to probation and fined for burning the Quran and making derogatory remarks about Muslims during incidents in 2023 that led to riots and condemnation from Muslim-majority countries.
His associate, Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, was shot dead last week on the same day he was set to receive a verdict in a separate case. While five individuals were detained in connection with his killing, no formal charges have been filed. Sweden’s prime minister has suggested possible involvement from a foreign state.
The Quran burnings in 2023 reignited debates across Sweden and Europe about the balance between free speech and protections for religious and ethnic groups.
In its statement, the Stockholm District Court ruled that 50-year-old Najem and Momika had desecrated the Quran in multiple ways and made offensive remarks about Islam, its followers, and mosque activities.
Najem was convicted of hate crimes for “expressing contempt for the Muslim ethnic group on four occasions due to their religious beliefs,” according to the ruling.
His lawyer has stated that they will appeal the verdict.
