Sweden revokes permit for Iraqi citizen involved in Quran desecration

Stockholm: Sweden has decided not to deport Iraqi citizen Salwan Momika to Iraq, who faced controversy for repeatedly desecrating the Holy Quran.

While Sylvan Momika's permanent residence permit in Sweden was revoked, the decision is unrelated to his actions involving the Quran.

According to statements from Migration Office spokesman Jesper Tengroth on TV4, Momika's residence and work permits in Sweden are set to expire on April 16.

If he does not renew them, deportation could follow.

Tengroth clarified the basis of their decision, stating, "Our decision is based on the fact that they had misrepresented in their permit applications. The agency received new information about Momika during the summer, so it was decided to withdraw his residence permit and deport him from Sweden."

Media reports had suggested that Momika might appeal this decision in the Migration Court.

Furthermore, the Immigration Service has stated that Momika's deportation decision cannot be enforced due to concerns about potential torture and inhumane treatment.

Consequently, he has been granted a temporary residence permit until mid-April.

Sweden upholds international agreements that prevent deportation if a person is at risk of torture or death.

Meanwhile, Momika's official representative, Alice Kolbari, disclosed that the Immigration Service initially ordered his deportation from Sweden. However, he has since obtained a temporary residence permit.

This decision carries the consequence of a five-year ban on Momika's re-entry into Sweden.

It is worth noting that the Iraqi government had demanded Sweden's extradition of Momika to face prosecution in Iraq for his actions involving a burned copy of the Holy Quran.

This extradition request was submitted via Interpol on July 18.

Sylvan Momika, who presented himself as a refugee from Iraq, ignited a copy of the Holy Quran outside a mosque in central Stockholm on June 21.

Swedish authorities allowed this act, citing freedom of expression.

An anonymous Iraqi security official revealed that Momika is an Iraqi Christian who had previously served in a Christian unit of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shabi.

Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands have faced widespread criticism for allowing public desecration of the Holy Quran under police protection.