Swedish Envoy in Turkey Summoned over Quran Desecration Permission
Rasmus Paludan, a convicted racist, received a permit from the Swedish government to burn the Muslim holy book in front of the Turkish embassy building in Stockholm on Saturday, January 21, The Washington Post reported.
"Upon learning that the act of burning our holy book, the Holy Quran, near our Stockholm embassy in Sweden, was allowed, the Swedish ambassador to Ankara was summoned to our ministry today," sources in the Turkish foreign affairs ministry said.
It has been conveyed to the Swedish ambassador that Turkey strongly condemns the provocative act, "which is clearly a hate crime", the sources added.
"Sweden's attitude is unacceptable. We expect the act not to be allowed, and that insults to sacred values cannot be defended under the guise of 'democratic rights'."
Turkey has also warned Sweden that allowing the propaganda activities of PKK and affiliated circles, who have announced holding a demonstration in Stockholm, is a clear violation of the tripartite agreement.
Finland and Sweden formally applied to join NATO in May last year, abandoning decades of military non-alignment, a decision spurred by Russia's military action against Ukraine. But Türkiye – a NATO member for over 70 years – voiced objections, saying the two countries have been tolerating and supporting terrorist groups.
Later in June 2022, Turkey and the two Nordic countries signed a memorandum at a NATO summit to address Ankara's security concerns, paving the way for their eventual membership in the alliance. Seven months have passed since the signing of the memorandum and Sweden is yet to fulfil the agreed recommendations.
Rasmus Paludan – a habitual offender
Paludan, who heads Denmark's far-right Stram Kurs (Hard Line) party and holds both Danish and Swedish nationalities, is a controversial figure.
In 2020, he was convicted of racism and sentenced to jail after he posted anti-Islam videos on his party's official social media handles. Though Paludan had appealed the conviction, a Danish High Court still upheld the decision, finding the politician guilty of racism.
This isn't the first time Paludan has attempted to hide behind the facade of "freedom of speech". In April last year, Sweden's Malmo had been set aflame when riots erupted following Paludan's announcement to go on a "Quran burning tour" during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Over 40 people had been arrested, leaving some injured, when protesters took to the streets against Swedish authorities' decision to allow the far-right leader's plans to burn the copies of the Muslim holy book.
Paludan also burned a copy of the Quran in 2019, wrapping the holy book in bacon and tossing it in the air.
In September 2020, Paludan was banned from entering Sweden for two years. Later in October of the same year, he was prevented from entering Germany for some time after the controversial politician announced plans to hold a provocative, anti-Muslim demonstration in Berlin.
Source: trtworld.com
