Sweden is trying to make Koran burning illegal

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): Reuters reported on Thursday in a report quoting a Swedish newspaper that the burning of the Koran would be illegal in this country.

 

According to this report, Sweden's Minister of Justice, Gunnar Stromer, told the country's "Aftonbladt" newspaper that the government is considering the possibility of outlawing the burning of the Koran and the burning of other holy books, because recent cases of Koran burning have harmed Sweden's security.

 

The recent action of a Swedish citizen in setting fire to a copy of the Quran in a mosque in Stockholm was accompanied by widespread international reactions. In addition to Islamic countries, a number of leaders and senior government officials in the West and non-Muslim countries and even Pope Francis, the leader of the world's Catholics, condemned this action.

 

According to the consequences of the last case of Koran burning in their country, Sweden's security services have considered such an action to weaken security in their country.

 

Earlier this year, Sweden's police rejected several requests for permits to hold demonstrations that included the burning of Qurans due to security concerns.

 

However, after canceling the decision of the police, the courts of this country announced that opposing such events is a violation of the country's current laws on freedom of expression.

 

Meanwhile, the Swedish police announced on Wednesday that they had received new requests to burn religious holy books, including the Koran, the Torah and the Bible.

 

Sweden's Minister of Justice said on Thursday that the government is analyzing the situation and considering the possibility of changing the law.

 

Gunnar Strömer, the Minister of Justice of Sweden, continued his conversation with the Aftonbladet newspaper and stated: "We have to see if the current directive is good or if there is a reason to revise it."

 

He added that Sweden has become a "prioritized target" for attacks (due to previous actions in the field of Koran burning). In this regard, the Minister of Justice of Sweden reminded: "We are witnessing that the burning of the Koran last week posed a threat to our internal security."

 

Previous cases of Koran burning have had political consequences for this country and have disrupted the process of Sweden's membership in NATO.

 

Turkey is currently blocking Sweden's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization with its insistent opposition, part of which is related to the recent Koran burnings.