Salwan Momika, the Iraqi refugee who gained international attention for desecrating the Qur’an in Sweden last year, has found himself in legal trouble once again. This time, he has been arrested in Norway and faces deportation back to Sweden, as reported by court documents viewed by AFP.
Momika, a Christian Iraqi, made headlines after burning copies of the Qur’an at multiple protests in Sweden over the summer. His actions sparked outrage and condemnation in Muslim countries, leading to protests and even an attack on the Swedish embassy in Baghdad.
After leaving Sweden for Norway and expressing his intention to seek asylum, Momika was arrested by the Oslo District Court on March 28, just a day after his arrival. Following a hearing on March 30, the court decided to detain him for four weeks while awaiting a likely request from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) to return him to Sweden, in accordance with EU legislation.
The court ruling stated that “a deportation will take place as soon as the formal and practical arrangements are in place.” The police had requested his detention, citing migration laws that allow for the detention of foreign nationals who may try to evade deportation.
Despite the widespread condemnation of his actions, the Swedish government emphasized the country’s laws regarding freedom of speech and assembly. However, the Swedish Migration Agency revoked Momika’s residency permit in October due to false information in his original application. He was granted a temporary permit as there was an “impediment to enforcement” of his deportation to Iraq.
In a further complication, Iraq had requested Momika’s extradition over one of the Qur’an burnings, adding another layer of complexity to his legal situation.
The repercussions of Momika’s actions were significant, with Sweden’s intelligence agency raising its terror alert level in response to the angry reactions. The country was deemed a “prioritized target” following the protests and embassy attack in Baghdad.
The case of Salwan Momika highlights the delicate balance between freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs. While individuals have the right to express their opinions, especially in democratic societies like Sweden, there are limits to what is considered acceptable behavior.
As Momika awaits deportation back to Sweden, the legal proceedings surrounding his case continue to unfold. The international community will be watching closely to see how this situation is resolved and what implications it may have for future cases involving freedom of speech and religious sensitivities.