A Swedish court on Monday found anti-Islam activist Salwan Najem guilty of hate crimes for desecrating the Holy Quran and making derogatory remarks about Muslims. The verdict came just days after his associate, Salwan Momika, who faced similar charges, was shot dead on the day he was due to receive his own ruling.
Najem, a Swedish citizen, was handed a suspended sentence and fined for his actions in 2023, which had sparked unrest and provoked strong reactions from Muslim-majority nations. His fellow campaigner, Momika, an Iraqi refugee, was fatally shot last week, although no one has been formally charged in connection with his death. Swedish authorities initially detained five individuals but later released them. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson suggested that a foreign state might have been involved in the assassination.
Desecration and Legal Consequences
The 2023 Quran burnings intensified debates across Sweden and Europe over the limits of free speech versus laws protecting religious and ethnic communities. The Stockholm District Court ruled that Najem, 50, along with Momika, had engaged in multiple acts of desecration and made offensive remarks against Islam, religious leaders, and mosques.
The court found Najem guilty of hate crimes for “expressing contempt for the Muslim ethnic group due to their religious beliefs on four occasions.” His lawyer, however, stated that Najem would appeal the ruling, arguing that his actions fell under freedom of expression and constituted criticism of religion rather than a hate crime.
Following Momika’s death, the court dropped the case against him. Meanwhile, Swedish authorities continue investigating his killing, as concerns rise over potential foreign interference in the case.
The Quran desecrations of 2023 remain a highly sensitive issue, fueling diplomatic tensions and raising questions about Sweden’s approach to balancing free speech and protections for religious communities.
