COPENHAGEN: Swedish prosecutors said on Wednesday they will put two men on trial for desecrating the Holy Quran in a series of incidents last year that sparked outrage in the Muslim world and raised fears of attacks.
The two men committed “crimes of agitation against an ethnic or national group” on four separate occasions by desecrating the Holy Quran outside a mosque and in other public places, the Swedish public prosecutor's office said in a statement.
Sweden's domestic security service raised its terror alert level as a result of the fires, while neighbouring Denmark, which has also suffered similar incidents, tightened its legislation to ban the practice.
“Both men are prosecuted for having made on these four occasions statements and having treated the Koran in a way that was intended to express contempt for Muslims because of their faith,” said lead prosecutor Anna Hankkio in a statement.
Evidence against the two men, identified as Salwan Momika and Salwan Najem, consisted largely of video recordings, Hankkio said.
Najem has denied any wrongdoing, said his lawyer, Mark Safaryan. Reuters On Wednesday.
“The permission granted in connection with the demonstration is covered by my client's intention. His rights are protected by the Swedish constitution,” said Safaryan.
Momika's lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
