During the night of Thursday, hundreds of people broke into the Swedish embassy in Iraq and set fire to buildings. The protesters burned flags and waved the Koran and pictures of the religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr.
TV4 Nyheterna can now publish several videos from inside the embassy that show the violent attack.
Windows are broken in the area. Piles of furniture and electronics are torn down and thrown into piles on the floor. In the corner, a washing machine can be seen on the slope.
In another video, people can be seen smashing the windows of the entrance with a sledgehammer. Cheered on by hundreds of protesters.
Local sources tell TT that approximately 50 percent of the embassy area with associated buildings has been damaged by the fire.
Jan Eliasson: “Similar reactions to be expected”
Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) went out earlier in the day and condemned the attacks. Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch (KD) also views it “very seriously”.
Former foreign minister and Jan Eliasson warn that similar attacks may be repeated.
– It is a religion that is embraced by almost two billion people and the feelings are deep. We must realize that in Sweden, he says.
– We saw how flags were burned in Iraq last time and similar reactions are to be expected.
During the day, Iraq has both recalled its top diplomat from Sweden – and banned all of the country’s business with Sweden.
Follow the development of the conflict between Sweden and Iraq here