Sweden accuses Russia of spreading 'disinformation' over Qur'an desecration

Sweden has accused Russia of running a disinformation campaign to damage the image of the Nordic country over the recent acts of desecration against the Holy Book of the Qur’an in the capital city of Stockholm.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson claimed on Wednesday that "Russia-backed actors" are targeting Sweden with a disinformation campaign and are trying to imply that the Swedish government supported the desecration of the Qur’an.

“We see that Russian actors are active in spreading the false claim that Sweden as a state would be behind the desecration of various scriptures. That is, of course, completely wrong,” he wrote on Facebook.

Kristersson further said that the recent acts of desecration of the Qur’an have come amid “a complicated security situation,” claiming that the Swedish government “does not issue permissions” to burn copies of the holy Muslim book in public, but only “issues permits” for public gatherings.

Amid growing Muslim outrage, EU's Borrell censures desecration of Quran, urges mutual respect

The EU foreign policy chief has denounced the recent acts of desecration of the Holy Qur

Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Minister for Civil Defense, also made similar comments over the issue.

"Sweden is the target of a disinformation campaign supported by state and state-like actors with the aim of damaging Swedish interests and ... Swedish citizens," he claimed at a press conference, without providing evidence.

Bohlin accused Russia-backed actors of “amplifying incorrect statements” that Sweden was behind the desecration of the Qur’an, claiming that such state actors are trying to "create division and weaken Sweden's international standing."

Mikael Ostlund, a spokesman for Sweden's Psychological Defense Agency, also claimed that Russia was using the acts of desecration of the Qur’an as an opportunity to promote its agenda in the media.

"Obviously, one such ambition from Russia's side is to be able to complicate our joining NATO," he said.

Desecration of Qur’an in Sweden sets off worldwide outcry

The desecration of the Holy Qur’an in Stockholm during a protest authorized by police has drawn strong condemnations worldwide.

The allegations against Russia come a month after a 37-year-old Iraqi immigrant stomped on the Qur’an before setting several pages alight in front of Stockholm’s largest mosque. The insult to the Muslim holy book was made under the authorization and protection of the Swedish police. 

The incident, coinciding with the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha and the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, drew the anger of Muslims from across the world.

Also in July, Swedish authorities approved a gathering outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm, where organizers burned a copy of Muslims’ holy book as well as the Iraqi flag.

Protests erupted in several Arab and Muslim countries over the sacrilegious act.

The blasphemous move also prompted the summoning or expulsion of Swedish envoys from several Muslim-majority countries.

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