Riots in Sweden’s Malmo city after Quran burning by far-right activists. Rioters burned tyres on the streets of Malmo set fires and threw objects at police and rescue services slightly injuring several police officers and 15 people were detained after more than 300 people gathered in protest, police said.
Rioting broke out in the Swedish city of Malmo after hundreds gathered to oppose the burning of the Quran by far-right activists.
“We don’t have this under control but we are working actively to take control,” a police spokesperson said on Friday evening.
“We see a connection between what is happening now and what happened earlier today,” the spokesperson said.
Between 10 and 20 protesters were arrested late Friday and “have all been released,” police spokesman Patric Fors told AFP.
Rasmus Paludan, who leads the far-right Danish anti-immigration party Hard Line, was due to travel to Malmo to speak at that event, which was being held on the same day as weekly prayers for the Muslim sabbath.
But authorities pre-empted Paludan’s arrival by announcing he had been banned from entering Sweden for two years. He was later arrested near Malmo.
“We suspect that he was going to break the law in Sweden,” Calle Persson, spokesman for the police in Malmo told AFP.
“There was also a risk that his behaviour… would pose a threat to society.”
But his supporters went ahead with the rally, and three people were then arrested for inciting racial hatred.
Paludan later put up a scathing message on Facebook.
“Sent back and banned from Sweden for two years. However, rapists and murderers are always welcome!” he wrote.
Paludan last year attracted media attention for burning a Koran wrapped in bacon — a meat that is anathema for Muslims.
