Sweden unrest: Protests turn violent, several injured| What we know so far

A group of right-wing extremists gathered during the weekend allegedly to burn ‘Quran’ - the Islamic holy book, in Sweden, which led to clashes with police.

Published on: Apr 19, 2022, 07:52:50 IST

By HT News Desk | Written by Manjiri Sachin Chitre | Edited by Swati Bhasin

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Days of protests sparked by a far-right group's burning of the Islamic holy book of Quran have turned violent in several cities in Sweden. While cars have been burnt down, dozens have been left injured. Officials in the country have also condemned the violence.

Protesters burn a barricade at the entrance to a shopping center during rioting in Norrkoping, Sweden (Photo by Stefan JERREVANG / various sources / AFP)  (AFP)

Here is what we know so far about the unrest in Sweden:

A group of right-wing extremists gathered during the weekend allegedly to burn ‘Quran’ - the Islamic holy book, in Sweden, which led to clashes with police. Tensions were witnessed in several parts of the country as the demonstrations turned violent. Around 26 police officers and 14 civilians have been injured in the riots, reported news agency AP, quoting police officials. Reportedly, over 20 police vehicles were also torched.

Danish-Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan, who is the leader of the anti-immigration and anti-Islam group Hard Line, declared a “tour” of Sweden. According to him, this was to mark the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, reported AP.
Swedish prime minister Magdalena Andersson condemned the unrest in the country. "I will make it very clear, those attacking the Swedish police, attack the Swedish democratic society. The perpetrators must be arrested, prosecuted, and serve a sentence in prison," Andersson was quoted as saying in reports.
The police have linked the violent protests to criminal gangs that target cops. Speaking to the media, national police chief Anders Thornberg said that the rioters had “tried to kill police officers”, AP reported.
Iraq's foreign ministry on Sunday summoned the Swedish charge d'affaires in Baghdad, warning it to have “serious repercussions” on relations. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the burning of the Quran in Sweden. Issuing a statement early on Monday, the Saudi Arabian foreign ministry said that it condemned the deliberate abuse of the Quran, the provocations and incitement against Muslims by some extremists in the Scandinavian country.

(With agency inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.