Swedish prosecutors have announced plans to put two men on trial for their role in burning the Quran last year, an act that sparked significant outrage in the Muslim world.
The two individuals face charges of “agitation against an ethnic or national group” for burning Islam’s holy book on four different occasions, including outside a mosque and in other public spaces, according to a statement from the Swedish Prosecution Authority.
The incidents prompted Sweden’s domestic security service to elevate its terrorism alert level, and neighboring Denmark, also affected by Quran burnings, responded by tightening its laws to ban the practice.
Senior Prosecutor Anna Hankkio stated that the charges are based on evidence showing that the men intended to show contempt for Muslims due to their faith. The evidence mainly includes video recordings of the incidents.
One of the accused, Salwan Najem, has denied any wrongdoing, as stated by his lawyer, Mark Safaryan.
