Kapanlagi.com - A tragedy shook Sweden when Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee, was found dead after being shot in his apartment in Sdertlje, near Stockholm, on Wednesday night (29/1). This horrific incident occurred just hours before the court was scheduled to deliver a verdict regarding his controversial action of burning the Qur'an during an anti-Islam demonstration a year ago.
Interestingly, at the time of the shooting, Momika was live streaming on TikTok, witnessing a dark moment in his life in real-time. Stockholm police have arrested five individuals suspected of being involved in this incident and are currently conducting an investigation to uncover the motives behind this shocking murder.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson revealed that the national security agency is involved in the investigation, given indications of possible foreign involvement. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch strongly condemned this act of murder, calling it a threat to the democracy upheld in Sweden. She urged the public to unite and confront such threats decisively.
In the latest development, the Stockholm District Court decided to postpone the ruling regarding Momika's case until February 3, 2025, as a consequence of the tragedy that befell him.
1. Profile of Salwan Momika: From Iraqi Refugee to Controversial Figure in Sweden
Salwan Momika, a 38-year-old man from Iraq who arrived in Sweden as a refugee in 2018, suddenly became the focus of global attention after his controversial actions of burning the Quran during a series of demonstrations in Stockholm throughout 2023.
His provocative actions sparked outrage among the global Muslim community and triggered diplomatic tensions between Sweden and many countries in the Middle East. In August 2023, he and his associate, Salwan Najem, faced charges of "agitation against an ethnic group" for allegedly desecrating the holy book and insulting Muslims, including during an event that took place in front of the Central Mosque of Stockholm, which sparked a wave of protests around the world.
Moreover, Momika also faced the threat of deportation due to alleged provision of false information in his residence permit application, but ultimately, Swedish migration authorities decided to grant him temporary residency, citing that he was at risk of torture if he returned to his homeland.
2. Shooting Chronology: Shot in Apartment During TikTok Live
On Wednesday night, January 29, 2025, around 11:11 PM local time, a tragedy shook Hovsj, Sdertlje when reports of a shooting in an apartment drew police attention. Upon arrival, officers found Salwan Momika lying with severe gunshot wounds and immediately took him to the hospital.
Unfortunately, on Thursday morning, the sad news came when the police announced that Momika had passed away. Initial investigations revealed that the shooting occurred indoors, and interestingly, local media reported that the incident may have been broadcast live on TikTok.
Circulating videos show the dramatic moment when police stopped the live broadcast from a phone believed to belong to Momika, and this footage quickly went viral, sparking various speculations regarding the motive behind this murder.
To this day, the mystery of who is behind this tragic shooting remains a significant question mark, with no official statement from the police.
3. Police Investigation and Allegations of Foreign Involvement
The Stockholm police recently arrested five individuals suspected of being involved in the shooting of Salwan Momika, and they are currently deepening the investigation to uncover the mystery behind this brutal act, including the possibility of involvement from groups or individuals from abroad.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that the national security agency is actively involved in the investigation, considering that this incident may involve foreign powers, especially since Momika's previous actions have triggered strong reactions from various countries.
On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch did not remain silent; she condemned this murder as a serious threat to Swedish democracy and emphasized that the country will not allow violence to disrupt freedom of expression and the democratic values it upholds.
4. Impact on Sweden and International Relations
The burning of the Al-Qur'an by Salwan Momika in 2023 has shaken Sweden's diplomatic relations with predominantly Muslim countries, triggering a wave of large demonstrations in Iraq, Pakistan, and various other parts of the world. The anger of the masses even overflowed to the point of attacking the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad, which was briefly set on fire.
With the occurrence of Momika's murder, this tension has the potential to escalate further, forcing the Swedish government to take firm action while attempting to maintain stability in international relations. Analysts predict that this incident will become a focal point in the debate over freedom of speech versus respect for religious symbols.
On the other hand, security threats in Sweden have also increased, with the country's intelligence agency raising the terrorism threat level to the second highest level, indicating deep concerns for the safety of Swedish citizens both domestically and abroad.
5. The Mystery of the Murder Motive: Revenge or Organized Action?
The motive behind the shooting of Salwan Momika has now become a hanging mystery, triggering various speculations among the public. Some observers argue that this heinous act may be revenge for his actions of burning the Quran, considering the outpouring of anger from the Muslim community.
However, there are also those who believe that this incident could be part of a more complicated scenario involving certain groups. The suspicion of foreign involvement has grown stronger after the statement from the Swedish Prime Minister that raised the issue of threats from abroad.
With the investigation still ongoing, the Swedish police have not revealed the identities of the five suspects who were arrested, leaving many questions lingering in the minds of the public, who are now anxiously awaiting the final results to uncover who the real mastermind behind this controversial murder is.
6. Who is Salwan Momika?
Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee who has been residing in Sweden since 2018, drew public attention with his controversial action: burning the Quran during an anti-Islam demonstration in 2023. His bold act sparked a wave of protests and heated debates within society, making him an unavoidable figure in discussions about freedom of expression and its limitations.
7. What is the chronology of the shooting of Salwan Momika?
On the night of January 29, 2025, a shocking tragedy occurred in the apartment of an influencer in Sdertlje, as he was engrossed in a live broadcast on TikTok.
8. Have any suspects been arrested?
The police managed to secure five individuals suspected of being involved in the shocking shooting incident, although their identities remain tightly guarded.
9. Is there any suspicion of foreign involvement in this case?
The Prime Minister of Sweden has revealed striking signals about the possible involvement of foreign powers in the incident that occurred, while the Swedish security service is currently pushing for an in-depth investigation to uncover the mystery behind the event.
10. What is the impact of this incident on Sweden's international relations?
The murder of Momika is predicted to further escalate tensions between Sweden and predominantly Muslim countries, especially amid sharp scrutiny of the actions of burning the Quran that have previously sparked controversy.
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Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.