According to a witness, protesters entered the building and remained there for about fifteen minutes. The demonstrators retreated peacefully when security forces arrived. They are said to be supporters of the influential cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. Photos and videos of the storm in the Iraqi capital Baghdad appeared on social media. A video shows how some demonstrators stand on the roof of the embassy. One of them kicks the Swedish coat of arms off the facade of the building.
However, according to the Swedish authorities, the personnel is safe. “We are well aware of the situation. Our embassy staff are safe and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in regular contact with them,” the Swedish Foreign Ministry’s press office told US news channel ‘CNN’ in an email.
In the Swedish capital Stockholm, an Iraqi refugee set fire to the Muslim holy book this week. The authorities had given permission for that protest action. This led to angry reactions from Muslim countries. The cleric al-Sadr is demanding the departure of the Swedish ambassador to his country and had called for a demonstration at the diplomatic post.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemns the burning of the Quran. He finds it unacceptable that the Swedish authorities allow such protests. “We are going to teach those arrogant Westerners that insulting Muslims has nothing to do with freedom of expression,” Erdogan responded on television.