Stockholm, August 28, 2024 — Two men in Sweden will face trial for their involvement in burning a Holy Quran last year, according to an announcement from Swedish prosecutors on Wednesday. The act of burning the Holy Quran has provoked significant outrage within the Muslim community and raised concerns about potential reprisals in Sweden.
The Holy Quran, regarded by Muslims as the literal word of God, is considered sacred, and its desecration is viewed as a serious offense. Despite Sweden’s reputation as one of the most liberal countries in the world, where such acts might be seen by some as a form of protected free speech, the prosecutors argue that the act constitutes “offenses of agitation against an ethnic or national group.”Senior prosecutor Anna Hankkio stated, “Both men are prosecuted for having, on these four occasions, made statements and treated the Holy Quran in a manner intended to express contempt for Muslims because of their faith.”
The alleged incidents occurred on four separate occasions, including instances of burning the Quran outside a mosque and in other public areas.The Swedish Prosecution Authority has emphasized that the trial will address these actions within the context of hate speech laws.
