Riots broke out in Southern Swedish city of Malmo late Friday after right-wing groups burned a copy of the Islamic holy book Quran. Danish anti-Muslim leader Rasmus Paludan was also blocked from entering a similar Quran burning rally and banned from Sweden for 2 years.
Almost 300 people were on Malmo’s streets, burning tyres and stone-pelting after the incident. Paludan, who leads the anti-immigration party Hard Line was also set to speak at the rally which was being held on the same day as weekly prayers for the Muslim sabbath but his supports continued with it after he was restricted from entering Sweden. “We suspect that he was going to break the law in Sweden. There was also a risk that his behaviour would pose a threat to society” a police spokesperson said. He was arrested near Malmo and three of his supporters were detained for inciting racial hatred.
Paludan later wrote a post on Facebook expressing his frustration in not being able to attend the rally. Last year he was embroiled in a similar immensely offensive controversy when he burned the Quran wrapped in bacon.
