Audio By Carbonatix
There has been a third night of unrest in Sweden after protests against a far-right group which burned a copy of the Quran and planned to do so again.
Violence broke out in the city of Malmö late on Saturday after a gathering of the Stram Kurs, or Hard Line, movement led by the extremist Rasmus Paludan.
Vehicles were set on fire, and some protesters threw stones at the police.
A number of other clashes between the police and counter-demonstrators have hit Sweden in recent days.
At least 16 police officers are reported to have been injured and several police vehicles destroyed in unrest that followed the far-right group's rallies, including in the suburbs of Stockholm and in the towns of Linköping and Norrköping.
Sweden's national police chief Anders Thornberg said demonstrators had shown an indifference to the lives of police officers, adding: "We have seen violent riots before. But this is something else."
Outrage at the far right group's actions - which included burning a copy of the Muslim holy book on Thursday, and planning to do so again at other rallies - has also spread beyond Sweden's borders.
Iraq's foreign ministry summoned the Swedish charge d'affaires in Baghdad on Sunday and warned the affair could have "serious repercussions" for relations between Sweden and Muslim communities in general.
Protests against plans by Stram Kurs to burn the Quran have turned violent in Sweden before. In 2020, protesters set cars on fire and shop fronts were damaged in clashes in Malmö.
Paludan - who was jailed for a month in 2020 for offences including racism in Denmark - has also attempted to plan similar burnings of the Quran in other European countries, including France and Belgium.
Latest Stories
-
Speakers at African Conference urge President Mahama to assent to anti-LGBTQ bill into law
2 minutes -
Trump hits back at ‘unpatriotic’ vote after House rebukes him over Iran
3 minutes -
IGP tasked to secure immediate accommodation for officers affected by Tudu fire outbreak
3 minutes -
Ebola threat: Gov’t to build health posts at all land borders
8 minutes -
I attended Harvard – just not the one you think: Rethinking success, career paths and school labels in Ghana
23 minutes -
2026 World Cup: France friendly is more than preparation for Cote d’Ivoire – Oumar Diakité
26 minutes -
State actors must clarify position on LGBTQ+ bill—ACEPA
38 minutes -
More illegal structures to be demolished after Adenta building collapse – La Nkwantanang MCE
38 minutes -
Arla Foods marks World Milk Day with nutrition drive for 42,000 students in Central Region
52 minutes -
BoG’s reforms on community banking aims to build well-capitalised banks – ARB Apex Bank MD
55 minutes -
Government to establish health posts at all land borders to strengthen Ebola preparedness
57 minutes -
Tetegu residents blame authorities over dredging failure at Densu River amid Weija Dam spillage
58 minutes -
Don’t just query KATH – invest in emergency infrastructure, GMA tells government
1 hour -
GMA clarifies KATH A&E congestion, says no emergency patients were turned away
1 hour -
Ghana and Jamaica strengthen bilateral relations with new cooperation agreements at third PJCC session
1 hour