Sweden, influenced by the philosophy of the Enlightenment and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789, enshrines freedom of expression in its constitution, notably through the Freedom of the Press Act (Tryckfrihetsförordningen) of 1949 and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. However, this freedom is not absolute and is subject to legal restrictions, particularly in cases of discriminatory or defamatory speech against an ethnic group.
In 2022, Rasmus Paludan, a far-right politician, carried out a Quran burning in Sweden. The following year, in 2023, Salwan Momika, an Iraqi Christian refugee, repeated the act. Unlike Danish and French cartoons, these Quran burnings are perceived as direct provocations without symbolic intent.
The Trap of “Quran Burnings” for Sweden!
Swedish authorities found themselves in a difficult position. Condemning these acts for “incitement to hatred against an ethnic group” could have been interpreted as an infringement on freedom of expression, a fundamental principle of Swedish democracy. However, the perpetrators were also prosecuted for their hateful remarks made near mosques.
The Quran burnings in Sweden had profound repercussions on multiple fronts. Diplomatically, these acts sparked outrage in many Muslim countries, leading to increased tensions with states like Turkey, which delayed Sweden’s accession to NATO, demanding measures against such incidents. Hostility also manifested in violent actions, such as the burning of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad in July 2023.
From a security perspective, authorities raised the terrorism threat level in response to potential retaliation from extremist groups, fearing attacks on Swedish soil. Domestically, these events exacerbated community tensions and fueled polarized political discourse, leading to a rise in anti-Muslim acts, including the desecration of mosques. Finally, these incidents reignited the debate over the limits of freedom of expression in Sweden. Some advocate for stricter regulations to prevent such provocations, while others emphasize the need to protect freedom of expression as a fundamental pillar of Swedish democracy.
The “Nordic” Precedent: The Prophet Muhammad Cartoons in Denmark!
The controversy over the Prophet Muhammad cartoons in Denmark in 2005 stemmed from issues of freedom of expression and self-censorship in the face of religious pressure. It all began when writer Kåre Bluitgen, preparing a children’s book on the life of the Prophet Muhammad, revealed that he had struggled to find an illustrator, as several artists feared reprisals. In response, the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, aiming to explore the issue of self-censorship in Europe, commissioned 12 caricatures of Muhammad from different cartoonists, publishing them on September 30, 2005.
The newspaper’s initial goal was to test the boundaries of free speech and provoke a debate on the right to depict religious figures in a democratic society. This approach was in line with Denmark’s long tradition of satire, where political and religious figures have often been subjects of caricature, with no special exemption for Islam. However, in the global context at the time, these drawings were perceived as a provocation and an insult in many Muslim countries, where depicting the Prophet Muhammad is strictly forbidden in Sunni Islam.
The Assassination of Salwan Momika: A Murder with Diplomatic and Security Implications
On January 29, 2025, Salwan Momika, a 38-year-old Iraqi refugee living in Sweden, was shot dead at his home in Södertälje, near Stockholm, while livestreaming on TikTok. Known for organizing several protests in 2023 in which he burned and desecrated the Quran, his actions had drawn worldwide attention and provoked outrage in many Muslim countries. These events had also led to an increase in Sweden’s terrorism threat level.
At the time of his death, Momika was facing legal proceedings for “incitement to hatred against an ethnic or national group” in connection with his actions in 2023, with a verdict expected the day after his assassination. Swedish authorities arrested five suspects in connection with the murder, but they were later released as suspicions against them weakened. The investigation continues to determine the exact circumstances of the homicide.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that Swedish intelligence services were “heavily involved in the case, as there is, of course, a risk of links to foreign powers”. This statement suggests the possible involvement of foreign actors in the assassination, although the investigation is ongoing to confirm or refute this hypothesis.
Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch reacted to Salwan Momika’s murder by stating: “This is a threat to our free democracy. It must be confronted with the full force of our society.”
However, the investigation into the assassination of the so-called “Quran burner” is not classified as an anti-terrorism case. The Quran burnings were a foolish act—pure provocation with no strategic intent other than a fascination with chaos. Yet, no one, not even a fool, should be killed for their opinions, especially not in what is supposed to be the new heart of European democracy.
