religion
Rabble-rousing? Investigations after Koran action in Sweden
A man holds up a sign reading ‘Koranbränning är hets mot folkgrupp’ (Koran burning is incitement against population groups) in Stockholm. The burning of a Koran near the mosque recently sparked anger and criticism of Sweden from Muslims around the world. photo
© Steffen Trumpf/dpa
Criticism of religions is in principle considered an expression of opinion in Sweden. But the approval of a planned burning of the Koran had already triggered protests. Now the authorities are investigating.
After another disparagement of a Koran in Stockholm, the Swedish authorities are investigating again because of possible Rabble-rousing. A corresponding advertisement had been created and a preliminary investigation led by a public prosecutor had been started, the Stockholm police said on Friday at the request of the German Press Agency.
The person responsible for the action, a native of Iraq, has been under investigation since the Koran was burned on June 28 for possible hate speech and violation of a fire ban. The man and a comrade-in-arms had held another Islamophobic gathering in the Swedish capital on Thursday, at which the burning of the Holy Scriptures of Islam was again planned.
This time there was no major burning of the Koran in the action near the Iraqi embassy: the man did trample on a copy of the book and tried to light it with the other participant. However, the fire did not ignite properly, as local Swedish media reported. According to pictures, however, some book pages showed small burn marks.
Even before the actual action, angry demonstrators attacked the Swedish embassy in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, when the police gave permission for the gathering to take place. Criticism of religions is covered by freedom of speech in Sweden. To what extent the burning of the Koran can be regarded as incitement to hatred has never been examined by a court in the Scandinavian EU country.