Report: Quran-burning protester is ordered to leave Sweden but deportation on hold for now

STOCKHOLM — Sweden reportedly withdrew the residence permit of an Iraqi man who staged a series of public desecrations of the Quran this year but put his deportation on hold, saying his life would be in danger if he were returned to Iraq. Sweden’s Migration Agency made the decision this week after determining that Salwan Momika had provided false information in his application for asylum, Swedish broadcaster TV4 reported Thursday. “The decision was made yesterday and means that this person’s status and residence permit will be revoked and that he will be deported,” agency spokesman Jesper Tengroth was quoted as saying. Belgian authorities said the alleged gunman, who was shot dead by police following a manhunt, posted a video online after the attack in which he said the Quran was “a red line for which he is ready to sacrifice himself.” Momika said he didn’t want to put Sweden at risk but was exercising his right to criticize Islam under freedom of speech. “They told me to find a country that can receive me; otherwise it’s Iraq.” Momika told TV4 he had no plans to leave Sweden and denied having given false information in his asylum application.