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Christian activist shot dead while live-streaming

by Lydia Davies
SALWAN.jpg - Banner image
@GlobeEyeNews / X

A Christian Iraqi activist was shot and killed while live-streaming on TikTok in the Hovsjö district of Södertälje, Sweden.

The 38-year-old, known for his controversial Quran-burning protests, was gunned down late Wednesday night in what police have described as a targeted attack.

Despite emergency responders arriving quickly at the scene, Salwan Momika succumbed to his injuries shortly after being taken to the hospital.

According to Lawyer Monthly, the harrowing incident, broadcast in real-time to thousands of viewers, has sent shockwaves around the world, reigniting debates over free speech, religious tensions, and the dangers faced by provocative activists.

Momika first gained international notoriety in June 2023 when he staged a Quran-burning protest outside Stockholm’s largest mosque during the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha.

The timing of the demonstration, coinciding with the annual Hajj pilgrimage, intensified the outrage among Muslim communities worldwide.

In the months that followed, he continued to carry out similar acts, provoking a diplomatic crisis between Sweden and several Muslim-majority countries.

His protests triggered violent reactions, including an attack on the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, where demonstrators stormed the compound in anger.

Despite growing tensions, Swedish authorities upheld his right to protest under the country’s strong commitment to free speech, a stance that further fueled controversy.

As his notoriety grew, so did the threats against his life.

His demonstrations were widely viewed as direct attacks on Islam, and his actions placed him at the center of an escalating international conflict. 

Just days before his assassination, he was scheduled to appear in court, facing charges of inciting ethnic hatred.

Swedish authorities were set to rule on whether his protests constituted hate speech or remained protected under the law.

That legal battle will now remain unresolved, as his death has abruptly halted proceedings.

The circumstances surrounding Momika’s killing remain unclear.

Police have arrested five individuals in connection with the shooting, but speculation abounds regarding the motives behind the attack.

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