Arrest Warrant Issued for Swedish Anti-Muslim Politician

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An arrest warrant has been issued in absentia by Sweden for Rasmus Paludan, a far-right Danish-Swedish politician, who burned a copy of the Quran, the holy book of Muslims. The Malmo Prosecutor’s Office has authorized the warrant on the suspicion of “several crimes,” as per Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.

Paludan had been investigated for “incitement against a group of people, insult, and gross assault against an official” a few months ago, the newspaper reported.

Paludan told the newspaper that he is in danger and that the Swedish police, especially those in Malmo, are unwilling to protect him. He intends to testify from Denmark with the assistance of the Danish police.

In January, Paludan burned a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm, with permission from Swedish authorities and under police protection. The following week, he burned a copy of the Quran in front of a mosque in Denmark, which sparked condemnation from many Muslim-majority countries, includingTurkey.

The incidents led to riots in several cities, including Malmo, Norrkoping, Jonkoping, and Stockholm, with 125 police vehicles damaged, 34 officers injured, and 13 individuals detained.