Salwan Najem appeals verdict after Quran burning

Salwan Najem appeals the notable verdict of incitement against a ethnic group.

» Published: February 24 2025

Salwan Najem appeals verdict after Quran burning
Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

"Salwan Najem has only exercised his constitutional rights. Salwan Najem's demonstrations are not directed against any ethnic group. Under all circumstances, this constitutes an incorrect legal assessment", writes his lawyer Mark Safaryan in the appeal to the Svea Court of Appeal, which was submitted on Friday.

Najem was convicted of four cases of incitement against an ethnic group, following the widely publicized Quran burnings he carried out together with Salwan Momika in Stockholm in the summer of 2023.

In connection with the public gatherings, which received extensive international attention and sparked outrage in large parts of the Muslim world, they wrapped Qurans in pork, kicked them, and made derogatory and degrading statements about Muslims, according to the indictment.

The Stockholm District Court found that the demonstrations "on each occasion" expressed contempt for the ethnic group Muslims and that the actions did not fall within the scope of freedom of speech.

Salwan Momika was shot to death in his home the evening before the district court verdict was to be announced. No one has been arrested for the murder.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Witness the Sun's Transformation: Partial
3 MIN READ

Witness the Sun's Transformation: Partial Solar Eclipse on March 29

Rescue Operation Near Gothenburg: Person
1 MIN READ

Rescue Operation Near Gothenburg: Person Hospitalized After Falling Overboard

Karlstad Woman Arrested in Investigation
1 MIN READ

Karlstad Woman Arrested in Investigation of Crimes Against Disabled Persons

Sweden Urges Citizens to Avoid
1 MIN READ

Sweden Urges Citizens to Avoid Travel to South Sudan Due to Unrest

Kristersson Urges US to Reaffirm
3 MIN READ

Kristersson Urges US to Reaffirm Support for Ukraine

Sweden Democrats Block Extra Child
2 MIN READ

Sweden Democrats Block Extra Child Allowance, Social Democrats React

Swedish Opposition Criticizes Unclear Nuclear
2 MIN READ

Swedish Opposition Criticizes Unclear Nuclear Power Proposal

100 Kilos of Amphetamine Seized
1 MIN READ

100 Kilos of Amphetamine Seized in Malmö Apartment Raid

Sweden Plans Billion-Kronor Loans for
3 MIN READ

Sweden Plans Billion-Kronor Loans for New Nuclear Power Expansion

Swedish Court Rules Municipal Russia
1 MIN READ

Swedish Court Rules Municipal Russia Boycotts Unlawful

Landskrona Murder Case: No New
1 MIN READ

Landskrona Murder Case: No New Trial as Appeal Withdrawn

Police Investigate Suspected Sabotage in
1 MIN READ

Police Investigate Suspected Sabotage in Western Sweden Cable Breaks

Swedish Education Agency Addresses Criticism
2 MIN READ

Swedish Education Agency Addresses Criticism After Exam Platform Error

High-Speed Train Outpaces Air Travel
1 MIN READ

High-Speed Train Outpaces Air Travel on Stockholm-Gothenburg Route

Sweden Grants Residence Permit to
1 MIN READ

Sweden Grants Residence Permit to Örebro Shooting Victim's Husband

Police Warn 1,400 About Risks
1 MIN READ

Police Warn 1,400 About Risks of Using Overload Attack Sites

Preschool Tragedy: Boy Unattended Before
1 MIN READ

Preschool Tragedy: Boy Unattended Before Fatal Vest Accident

Police Error: No Warning Shots
1 MIN READ

Police Error: No Warning Shots Fired Before Man Was Shot in Sweden

Customs Agency Reports Surge in
1 MIN READ

Customs Agency Reports Surge in Dangerous Synthetic Cannabis

Investigator Urges Swedish PM Kristersson
1 MIN READ

Investigator Urges Swedish PM Kristersson to Resign Over Scandal

Swedish Minister Criticized for Ericsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish Minister Criticized for Ericsson Stock Purchase on Funding Day

Woman Arrested for Attempted Murder
3 MIN READ

Woman Arrested for Attempted Murder While Awaiting Psychiatric Care

Sweden Moves Forward with Controversial
3 MIN READ

Sweden Moves Forward with Controversial Nuclear Power Proposal

Court Restores Taxi License After
1 MIN READ

Court Restores Taxi License After Sex Purchase Conviction Overturned

Invasive Fish Alters Baltic Sea
2 MIN READ

Invasive Fish Alters Baltic Sea Ecosystem, Study Finds

Two Injured in Bjärred; Man
1 MIN READ

Two Injured in Bjärred; Man Arrested for Attempted Murder

Swedish Foreign Minister Criticizes Israel
2 MIN READ

Swedish Foreign Minister Criticizes Israel on Humanitarian Aid During Visit

23andMe Files for Bankruptcy: Users
3 MIN READ

23andMe Files for Bankruptcy: Users Urged to Delete DNA Data

Uppsala Municipality Faces Criticism Over
1 MIN READ

Uppsala Municipality Faces Criticism Over Home Care Safety Failures

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Cyclist in Critical Condition After Kristianstad Traffic Collision

Man Sentenced to Prison for
1 MIN READ

Man Sentenced to Prison for Cruel Sheep Slaughter in Sweden

Gothenburg Gang Leader Arrested for
1 MIN READ

Gothenburg Gang Leader Arrested for 2012 Murder Near Frölunda Square

Elderly Man Dies After Balcony
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man Dies After Balcony Fall in Skellefteå

No Charges for Police After
1 MIN READ

No Charges for Police After Örebro School Massacre Investigation

Swedish Court Upholds Record Sentence
3 MIN READ

Swedish Court Upholds Record Sentence for Teen in Triple Murder Case

Nordic Councils Urge Limits on
1 MIN READ

Nordic Councils Urge Limits on Children per Sperm Donor

Opposition Supports Defense Boost but
2 MIN READ

Opposition Supports Defense Boost but Urges Tax Hikes for Balance

Sweden Boosts Defense Budget with
3 MIN READ

Sweden Boosts Defense Budget with Historic Military Investment

Sweden Plans Major Military Boost
3 MIN READ

Sweden Plans Major Military Boost with 300 Billion Kronor Loan

Man Shot by Police Near
1 MIN READ

Man Shot by Police Near Karlshamn Still Hospitalized and Unheard