Clashes between law enforcement and protesters continued to engulf Malmo, Sweden's third-largest city, following another Quran-burning provocation, as reported by Swedish police.

In a press conference addressing the ongoing protests, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed his dismay, labeling the events in Malmo as "terrible." He firmly stated: "These are part of the waves of violence in Sweden, and they are terrible events. The government will fight these events to the end."

The protests were ignited when Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee residing in Stockholm, burned a Quran in Malmo's immigrant-heavy Rosengard neighborhood on Sunday. This area has previously been a hotspot for similar clashes.

During the unrest, police reported that protestes pelted them with rocks, and dozens of cars, including those in an underground garage, were set ablaze.

Local media reported that Muslim youth, angered by the perceived inaction of the Swedish police in preventing Quran burnings, set fire to tires and debris in the Rosengard neighborhood on the following morning.

Police officers also disclosed that some protesters hurled electric scooters, bicycles, and barriers, behavior they deemed unacceptable. "I understand that a public gathering like this arouses strong emotions, but we cannot tolerate disturbances and violent expressions like those we saw on Sunday afternoon," stated police officer Petra Stenkula. She expressed deep regret over the recurrence of violence and vandalism in Rosengard, emphasizing that the majority of attendees were not involved in the riots.

On Sunday, approximately 15 individuals were arrested while attempting to prevent Momika from burning another copy of the Muslim holy book, this time under full police protection.

The situation is reminiscent of previous incidents in which individuals expressing anger over Quran burnings led to several-year prison sentences. These Quran burnings were instigated by Swedish-Danish politician Rasmus Paludan, leader of the far-right Stram Kurs (Hard Line) Party, who burned copies of the Quran in Swedish cities such as Malmo, Norrkoping, Jonkoping, and Stockholm during Easter last year, citing freedom of speech as his pretext.

The provocative Quran burnings in both Sweden and Denmark, under the banner of free speech, have sparked outrage and protests in Muslim-majority countries, with some incidents leading to attacks on diplomatic missions.

Last month, the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) called on its member states to take appropriate political and economic measures against Sweden and other countries permitting the burning of the Muslim holy book.

In response to mounting concerns, Denmark announced plans to criminalize the burning of religious texts, while Sweden is still deliberating legal options that would allow police to reject permits for demonstrations on national security grounds. (ILKHA)