Stockholm: Former Iraqi militia leader Salwam Momika was shot dead in Sweden's Hovsjo district on Wednesday night, claimed local reports. Momika became a fierce critic of Islam and burnt the Quran several times for which he often received death threats. According to local media reports, he was shot dead inside his apartment in Sodertalje city during a live TikTok video. However, there is no official confirmation yet by the police.

As per local media, the police reached the spot after receiving the information of a shootout at around 11 pm on Wednesday night (local time) and were looking for the assailant. The police have detained one person for questioning. The reason for the alleged attack on Momika is not yet known but it appears that he was under target for Quran desecration in Sweden. Notably, he had received death threats for Islamic radicals for burning the holy book of Muslims in full public view and under police presence.

Momika Shot Dead? Here's What People Are Tweeting About Him:

Krimfup a Swedish website in its online article reported that "a man in his 40s was shot in Södertälje late Wednesday night. According to information to Krimfup.se, the man is feared to be Salwan Momika, known for carrying out Koran burnings in Sweden. The information also states that he died as a result of the shooting."

SVT News another Swedish news website claimed "a man was found shot in a home in Hovsjö in Södertälje late on Wednesday. According to information to SVT Nyheter, it is 38-year-old Salwan Momika, who has died from gunshot wounds. The police have not yet confirmed the death."

A man in his 40s was found shot in an apartment and was taken to hospital, says Daniel Wikdahl, press spokesman for the Stockholm Region police, told SVT News.

Expressen, a Swedish online portal, also learnt from its sources that Salwan Momika was shot to death. He was taken to hospital after being hit by bullets.

Salwan Momika's brazen Quran burnings had sparked widespread outrage and condemnation in Muslim countries thereby putting Sweden in diplomatic crisis. His acts had caused unrest and riots in Iraq and several other regions.

Who is Salwan Momika?

Salwan Sabah Matti Momika was a 38-year-old Iraqi refugee who openly 'expressed his opinion' towards the Islamic religious text Quran and wanted it to be banned. The man fled from Iraq to Sweden a couple of years ago. He was a Christian Iraqi.

Last year he sought permission from Norway for asylum as the Sweden government reportedly refused to provide him protection against the radicals.

In 2024 as well there were reports about his death in Norway surfaced. However, all those reports turned out to be fake.

Swedish prosecutors in August last year said that Salwan Momika and Salwan Najem had carried out “offences of agitation against an ethnic or national group” four separate times and because of which they were put on trial.