Turkish activists burn Swedish flag in response to Quran-incident in Stockholm

A large-scale protest rally has been held in front of the Swedish Consulate General in Istanbul where local activists ostentatiously burned a Swedish flag.

As reported by the Turkish newspaper T24, the action was in response to the provocative actions of far-right Danish politician Rasmus Paludan, who heads the anti-Islamic Stram Kurs (Tight Course) party.

Caliber.Az recalls, that on January 21, Paludan publicly burned a copy of the Quran in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm.

According to Swedish media, the action was carried out with the permission of the local authorities. The Swedish Prime Minister has responded to the aggressive act carried out in Stockholm by Paludan, acknowledging that while freedom of expression was fundamental, the "burning books that are holy to many is a deeply disrespectful act" and expressed his sympathy for all offended Muslims.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental part of democracy. But what is legal is not necessarily appropriate. Burning books that are holy to many is a deeply disrespectful act. I want to express my sympathy for all Muslims who are offended by what has happened in Stockholm today.

— SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) January 21, 2023