Protests in Sweden: Three injured in riots over plan to burn Koran

Police have shot dead at least three people during protests against a far-right group in Sweden.

Riots have broken out across the country in recent days after Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan planned to burn the Koran in various towns and villages.

In the eastern town of Norrkoping on Sunday, a crowd of around 150 threw stones at police officers and set cars on fire.

Swedish media reported that Baludan and his “Straamcourse” party staged a protest in the area but never came.

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Protesters set fire to police cars

Police responded with warning shots, but three people were hit by a ricochet and taken to hospital.

Police said they were “later arrested on suspicion of having committed a crime”.

Riots were also reported in the nearby town of Linkoping, where Mr Baludan had planned a protest but was later called off.

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Demonstrations took place in many cities

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The politician told Facebook he made the decision because Swedish authorities were “completely unable” to protect him.

There have been violent clashes in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, and several other cities over the past three days.

Police officers run during a protest outside a protest planned by Danish anti-Muslim politician Rasmus Paludan and his Stram Kurs party, which was supposed to include the burning of Islam's holy book, the Koran, at Sveaparken in Orebro, in Sweden, April 15, 2022 Paul Wennerholm / TT News Agency / by Reuters Attention Editors - This photo has been provided by a third party.  Sweden give up.  There are no commercial sales or publishing in Sweden.
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At least 12 officers were injured

Dozens of police officers were injured and four emergency vehicles were set on fire in central Örebro after riots broke out on Friday over Baludan’s plan to burn the Koran there.

In the Landskrona region of southern Sweden, some protesters set cars, tires and boxes on fire, while others set up a roadblock to block traffic.

Similar protests took place in Malmö, the country’s third largest city, where municipal buses and other facilities were set on fire.

Baludan founded the Stram Kurs party in 2017 and is now known for his anti-immigration and anti-Islamic agenda.

Binnie Hale

"Professional food trailblazer. Devoted communicator. Friendly writer. Avid problem solver. Tv aficionado. Lifelong social media fanatic."

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