Far-Right Activists Burn Qurans in Copenhagen, Triggering Protests and Condemnation
Copenhagen witnessed a violent protest on Tuesday as a group of far-right activists burned copies of the Quran in front of the Egyptian and Turkish embassies.
The incident came after a series of similar Quran burnings in Denmark and Sweden in the past week.
The protest was organized by a group calling themselves the "Danish Patriots." They live-streamed the Quran burnings on Facebook in front of the Iraqi embassy on Monday and Friday.
Turkey and Iraq strongly condemned the burning of Islam's holy book, with hundreds of protesters in Baghdad storming the Swedish embassy last week and trying to reach the Danish embassy.
However, they were stopped by security forces.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said in a statement that the desecration of the Quran was an "offensive and disrespectful act, and a clear provocation." The Danish Foreign Ministry quoted Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen as saying that he had a "constructive" call with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, adding that all protests must remain peaceful.
The Danish government has freedom of expression and right to protest laws, which allow the Quran burnings to take place.
However, the Swedish government has criticized the recent incidents, with the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
The Iraqi government has taken a strong stance against the Quran burnings, with reports indicating that the Swedish ambassador has been expelled and the Danish embassy staff has left the country.
The Danish government has denied withdrawing from Iraq, according to Reuters.
The protest was organized by a group calling themselves the "Danish Patriots." They live-streamed the Quran burnings on Facebook in front of the Iraqi embassy on Monday and Friday.
Turkey and Iraq strongly condemned the burning of Islam's holy book, with hundreds of protesters in Baghdad storming the Swedish embassy last week and trying to reach the Danish embassy.
However, they were stopped by security forces.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said in a statement that the desecration of the Quran was an "offensive and disrespectful act, and a clear provocation." The Danish Foreign Ministry quoted Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen as saying that he had a "constructive" call with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, adding that all protests must remain peaceful.
The Danish government has freedom of expression and right to protest laws, which allow the Quran burnings to take place.
However, the Swedish government has criticized the recent incidents, with the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
The Iraqi government has taken a strong stance against the Quran burnings, with reports indicating that the Swedish ambassador has been expelled and the Danish embassy staff has left the country.
The Danish government has denied withdrawing from Iraq, according to Reuters.
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