Sweden’s police have warned that the recent Quran-burning stunts by a far-right group have damaged the country’s reputation and security and provoked violent protests and international condemnation. The police said they had arrested dozens of people and used force to disperse riots in several cities, where demonstrators clashed with officers, set fire to vehicles and buildings, and threw stones and other objects.
The Quran-burning stunts were carried out by Rasmus Paludan, the leader of the anti-immigration and anti-Islam group Hard Line, who planned to visit areas with large Muslim populations and burn copies of the Muslim holy book during the holy month of Ramadan. Paludan, a Danish-Swedish politician, said he was exercising his right to freedom of expression, guaranteed by Sweden’s constitution.