The Stockholm District Court convicted activist Najem for inciting hatred against an ethnic group due to Quran burnings, which included actions during Muslim holidays. Although Najem claimed the demonstrations were protected by free speech, the court stated they transcended acceptable critique and expressed clear contempt for Muslims. The decision spotlighted the need for balancing the freedom of expression with respect for religious beliefs. Additionally, the charges against his fellow activist Momika were dropped following his murder, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the case and its implications in Sweden.
On all occasions, the demonstrations have expressed contempt for the Muslim group," wrote the court. "There is a wide scope within the framework of freedom of expression to be critical of a religion in a factual and objective debate.
The court found Najem guilty of agitation against an ethnic group and slapped him with a conditional sentence and day fines.
Najem had argued that the rallies were protected by Swedish free speech laws as criticism of a religion, but the court disagreed.
The charges against Momika, the more high-profile of the pair, were dropped last week after he was shot dead in his apartment while broadcasting live on social media.
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