In a dramatic incident in Stockholm, Swedish authorities have apprehended a woman who took direct action against an anti-Islam activist, deploying a fire extinguisher during his Quran-burning demonstration outside the Iranian embassy. Captured on video, the woman rapidly approached Salwan Momika, dousing him with a cloud of white powder before plainclothes police officers intervened to escort her away from the scene. Remarkably unharmed, Momika resumed his protest, which had been granted police authorization.
The woman, unnamed by authorities, now faces detention on charges of disturbing public order and violence against a police officer, according to police spokeswoman Towe Hagg. Momika, a refugee hailing from Iraq, has been at the center of a series of anti-Islam protests involving Quran desecration, actions that have ignited fury within certain Muslim nations. Despite the controversy, Swedish law enforcement has permitted Momika's demonstrations, arguing in favor of free speech, albeit while pursuing preliminary charges of hate speech, as reported by Al jazeera.
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This contentious situation has prompted prosecutors to delve into the compatibility of Momika's actions with Sweden's hate speech legislation, which proscribes the incitement of hatred based on race, religion, or sexual orientation. Notably, Momika has insisted that his demonstrations target the religion of Islam itself, rather than the individuals who practice it.
The ripples of these Quran-burning events have surged beyond the borders of Sweden, generating fervent protests in Muslim countries, precipitating attacks on Swedish diplomatic outposts, and breeding a series of ominous threats.
