A demonstration was organized in Stockholm today, where, among other things, the Koran was trampled. However, the book was not burned.
Erja Tuomaala,
Ilmari Reunamäki,
STT
The dispute between Sweden and Iraq over the burning of the Koran in Sweden shows no signs of abating.
Another Koran burning was planned for this day in Stockholm. There were about 130 police officers in front of the Iraqi embassy in Tuklholman monitoring the demonstration.
Organized the demonstration Salwan Momika stood in front of the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm on Thursday afternoon and, among other things, stomped on the Koran and polished his shoes on a picture of the Iraqi flag.
However, according to an eyewitness interviewed by the news agency Reuters, the protesters have started to leave the embassy, and the Koran was not set on fire in the end.
Iraq previously threatened to sever diplomatic relations with Sweden if the Koran was burned again in Sweden. This was announced by the Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia al-Sudan office.
Today, Iraq decided to expel Sweden’s ambassador to Iraq from Baghdad. Accordingly, Iraq will invite the charge d’affaires of its Stockholm embassy back to Iraq, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs.
Iraq also decided to suspend the Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson’s work permit in Iraq, the news agency Reuters reports, referring to information from the Iraqi state news agency.
The Swedish embassy in Baghdad was set on fire
In Baghdad, protesters stormed the Swedish embassy on the night between Wednesday and Thursday. A fire broke out at the embassy and the staff was evacuated.
The staff of the Finnish embassy located in the same area was evacuated. The staff members are fine, but the mission was damaged in the fire.
Foreign minister Tobias Billström says Sweden condemns the rioting in front of the embassy. According to him, diplomats and embassies are under special protection under the Vienna Convention.
According to the Iraqi Prime Minister’s office, the country’s government has informed the Swedish government of the danger of breaking relations through diplomatic channels. According to the Iraqi government, a repetition of Koran burning in Sweden would require the severance of diplomatic relations.
As well as a Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan that Iraqi Christian, from Sweden Salwan Momika, who received temporary asylum have burned the Koran in Sweden in public places. Paludan has burned the Koran in several Swedish cities and Momika in front of a mosque in Stockholm.
The burning of the Koran has angered Arab countries and especially Turkey, which has previously blocked Sweden’s NATO membership. Now, in principle, Turkey has promised to ratify Sweden’s membership, however, the schedule has been extended to autumn.
Foreign Minister Valtonen condemns the Baghdad riots
Foreign minister Elina Valtonen (collective) calls the rioting at the Swedish embassy in Iraq a really regrettable, deplorable and reprehensible attack. He stated that the situation in question has already been foreseen and the employees of the Finnish embassy are safe.
Hundreds of people attacked the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and set fire to the building the night before Thursday. The protesters were outraged by the planned burning of the Koran in Sweden.
Valtonen commented on the matter when he arrived at the meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union countries in Brussels.
The story is updated.