Islam critic killed during livestream before court date

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An Iraqi-born critic of Islam was fatally shot in Sweden during a livestream broadcast, mere hours before his scheduled court appearance regarding Qur’an-burning protests.

Salwan Momika, 38, met his end in a Södertälje apartment, located in Stockholm county, at approximately 11pm on Wednesday. The former Iraqi refugee, who identified as a “liberal atheist,” had found sanctuary in Sweden since 2018, having fled Iraq where he faced serious risks of torture and inhumane treatment due to his Assyrian Christian background.

According to Swedish publication Aftonbladet, Momika was actively broadcasting on TikTok when the assault occurred, with the violent incident captured on the livestream. The broadcast continued until law enforcement arrived at the scene and deactivated the phone.

Who was Salwan Momika?

A lot of people knew him for burning Qurans in Sweden. But they don’t know his story.

Salwan Sabah Matthew Momika was born an Assyrian Christian in the Islamic apartheid state of Iraq. His native language was Aramaic.

The Assyrians are the indigenous… pic.twitter.com/Aqma0VfpLp

— Dr. Maalouf ‏ (@realMaalouf) January 30, 2025

Law enforcement has detained five individuals in connection with the murder. Sources within the police department suggest the assailant may have accessed the premises via the building’s rooftop.

Momika gained notoriety in 2023 through his controversial actions of burning the Qur’an on four separate occasions during Swedish protests, including demonstrations near a Stockholm mosque and the Iraqi embassy. Supporters of such acts argue that the violent responses to these demonstrations validate their concerns about Islam’s compatibility with Western values.

“If Islam is a religion of peace, why do I need a bulletproof vest?…Why do I need hundreds of police to protect me when I burn a book of the people of the religion of peace?” Momika questioned in 2024. SVT’s crime correspondent revealed that criminal circles in Sweden were aware of a bounty placed on Momika’s life.

Tommy Robinson, currently imprisoned in the UK, had interviewed Momika in 2024 and predicted his “certain death.”

Reports indicate that prior to his arrival in Europe, Momika served with an anti-ISIS militia group in Iraq.

Salwan Momika came to Europe to escape Islam, only to be killed by Islam.

The line has to be drawn, the death toll is too high. Yet the sharia death cult-members are protected with action plans and given our tax money to spread their fascist ideology.

This needs to stop NOW. pic.twitter.com/ATUelV1Hau

— Rebecca Mistereggen (@RMistereggen) January 30, 2025

His Qur’an burning protests in 2023 sparked widespread demonstrations, creating diplomatic tensions for Sweden. The Swedish embassy in Iraq faced angry mobs, while Turkey cited Sweden’s protection of anti-Islamic expression to delay its NATO membership approval. The protests also triggered unrest in Malmo’s multicultural community.

Momika faced charges of ethnic group incitement alongside another Qur’an burner, with the verdict scheduled for the morning after his death. Court officials have postponed the ruling until next month, noting they cannot sentence a deceased individual.

Despite describing his prosecution as “legal persecution,” Momika had expressed gratitude towards Sweden, stating “I am grateful for Sweden and I love Sweden and its people.” Recently, Sweden had imprisoned another Qur’an burner, Rasmus Paludan, with the judge stating “It is permissible to publicly criticize, for example, Islam and even Muslims, but the contempt for a group of people must clearly not exceed the limits of a relevant and responsible discourse.”

In 2024, German authorities arrested two individuals planning an attack on Sweden’s Parliament in retaliation for Qur’an burnings, intending to target police officers and civilians.