Violent clashes in Sweden, after the burning of the Koran

2023-09-04 18:05:04, Kosova & Bota CNA

Violent clashes erupted Sunday in an immigrant neighborhood in Sweden's third-largest city after an anti-Islam protester burned a copy of the Koran, Swedish police said Monday.

Police in Malmo said stones were thrown at their officers and several of their vehicles were set on fire, including an underground garage, during clashes that began on Sunday and continued until after midnight.

She described them as "violent riots".

The clashes started after an anti-Islam activist, Salwan Momika, burned a copy of the Koran on Sunday and an angry mob tried to stop him, police said.

At least three people were arrested, police said.

On Monday morning, a group of mostly young people burned tires and garbage, while others knocked over electric scooters and put up barriers in Malmo's Rosengard district, which has seen such clashes in the past. Banners condemning the burning of the Koran were also unfurled there.

"I understand that a public gathering like this stirs up strong emotions, but we cannot tolerate violent behavior and disorder like we saw on Sunday afternoon," said senior police officer Petra Stenkula.

"It is unfortunate to see violence and vandalism again in Rosengard," she said.

"Regardless of the reasons behind these riots, the burning of cars, harassment, violence against police officers... regardless of the reason, I think this is completely unacceptable for all Swedes," Sweden's prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, told a news conference.

In recent months, Momika, an Iraqi refugee, has desecrated copies of the Koran in a series of anti-Islam protests, mainly in Stockholm.

The Swedish police have allowed his actions, citing freedom of expression.

The burning of the Koran has sparked violent protests in Muslim countries, attacks on Swedish diplomatic missions and threats from Islamist extremists.

Muslim leaders in Sweden have called on the government to find ways to stop the burning of the Koran.

Sweden repealed its last blasphemy laws in the 1970s, and the government has said it has no plans to bring them back.

However, the Government has announced that it is looking at the possibility of enabling the police to reject requests for such demonstrations due to national security concerns./REL