Mumika, an Iraqi Christian who burned the Qur’an several times in the summer of 2023 in Sweden, told AFP that he had arrived in Norway, where he wanted to seek asylum.

Mumika said in a letter: “I left Sweden because of persecution from government institutions.”

Burning the Qur’an sparked protests and condemnations in many countries.

In Iraq, demonstrators attacked the Swedish embassy in Baghdad twice in July, setting it on fire the second time.

The Swedish government condemned the burning of the Qur’an, but stressed the importance of laws related to freedom of assembly and expression on its territory.

The Swedish intelligence services raised the alert level for a terrorist threat to the fourth level on a five-level scale in August, after these demonstrations took place abroad, considering that Sweden had become a “major target.”

The Swedish Migration Agency revoked Mumika's residence permit in October, citing false information in his initial application, but granted him a temporary permit because it was unable to return him to Iraq.

A month ago, Iraq demanded Mumika's extradition because he burned the Qur'an.

Mumika said: “Sweden has become a threat to me since the decision to expel me and the threat to extradite me,” describing freedom of expression and the protection of human rights in Sweden as a “big lie.”