Salwan Momika, the Iraqi man who stirred up controversy by burning copies of the Quran in Sweden last year, has been shot and killed, according to Swedish officials.

Momika was reportedly gunned down in Stockholm on Wednesday. Police have already arrested five people in connection with the murder. The incident comes just as Momika was supposed to receive a verdict in a trial where he faced charges of inciting racial hatred. That decision has now been put on hold.

Back in 2023, Momika told CNN he had moved to Sweden from Iraq in 2018. He defended his protests by saying the Quran “should be banned” because he believed it threatened democracy, human rights, and women’s rights. His actions drew widespread condemnation and even led to a debate over free speech in Sweden.

Initially, Swedish authorities tried to stop Momika from demonstrating by denying him a permit. However, a court later ruled in his favor, allowing the protests to go ahead. Momika had been active on social media, where he shared updates about his legal battles and voiced strong anti-Islam opinions. Just weeks ago, he was asking for donations to help him seek asylum in the United States.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson mentioned that security services will be part of the investigation, as there’s a possibility Momika’s death could involve foreign involvement. His murder has raised concerns about the tensions his protests had ignited and the risks tied to his actions.

The case remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the full story behind this shocking incident.