Iraqi Quran Burner Arrested in Norway, Faces Deportation Back to Sweden

Salwan Momika, the Iraqi man who sparked international outrage by burning the Quran during protests in Sweden, has been arrested in Norway. He now faces deportation back to Sweden, the country that revoked his residency permit.

Momika, a Christian Iraqi, gained notoriety last year for a series of Quran burnings in Sweden. These acts coincided with the country’s bid to join NATO, further straining diplomatic relations. After Swedish authorities declined to renew his residency permit, Momika reportedly sought asylum in neighboring Norway.

According to Norwegian authorities, Momika was arrested on March 28th, just a day after arriving in the country. An Oslo district court hearing resulted in his detention for four weeks as Norway awaits a formal request from Sweden for his return under EU regulations.

Momika’s actions in Sweden ignited protests and condemnation, particularly in Muslim-majority countries. The Swedish government, while condemning the Quran burnings, defended its stance on freedom of speech and assembly. The incident also prompted Swedish intelligence agencies to raise the terror threat level, citing potential retaliation.

Adding another layer of complexity, Sweden initially revoked Momika’s residency due to false information in his application. However, concerns about his safety upon deportation to Iraq led to a temporary residency permit being issued. Iraq itself had previously requested Momika’s extradition over one of the Quran burnings.

The outcome of Momika’s situation remains uncertain. While Norway seems prepared to deport him based on the court ruling, the practicalities and potential security concerns surrounding his return to Sweden or Iraq are yet to be resolved. 

(Inputs from AFP)

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