STOCKHOLM: Swedish police detained a woman who sprayed an anti-Islam activist with a fire extinguisher as he staged another Quran-burning protest in Stockholm.
The woman ran towards Salwan Momika as he burned a copy of the Holy Quran outside the Iranian Embassy in Stockholm on Friday and sprayed white powder before she was intercepted by plainclothes police officers who led her away. Momika, who appeared stunned but unhurt, resumed his demonstration authorized by the police.
Stockholm Police spokesperson Towe Hagg said the woman, who was not identified by police, was detained on suspicion of disturbing public order and violence against a police officer.
Momika, the Iraqi man behind the Quran burning on Friday, has set fire to copies of the Quran on a number of occasions, leading to international protests in many Muslim countries.
Sweden on Thursday raised its terrorism alert to the second-highest level, saying the country had become a priority target for armed groups.
These Quran burnings were cited as one of the reasons behind Sweden’s deteriorating security which led the Säpo security services to raise Sweden’s terror level from a three (“elevated threat”) to four (“high threat”).
During the Quran burning, police confirmed that a separate report will be filed on a suspected crime which they believe falls into the category “incitement against an ethnic group”, which may have been committed.
“It is currently not possible to give more details other than we will file a complaint as we believe this crime may have been committed there. We will investigate further and cannot say much more than that,” Hagg said.
Momika has previously been reported for incitement against an ethnic group in connection with Quran burning in June and July.
