A lady interrupts a Quran-burning protest in Sweden by spraying activist with a hearth extinguisher

STOCKHOLM — Swedish police detained a girl Friday who sprayed an anti-Islam activist with a hearth extinguisher as he staged a Quran-burning protest exterior the Iranian Embassy in Stockholm.

Video of the scene confirmed the lady dashing as much as Salwan Momika and spraying white powder towards him earlier than she was intercepted by plainclothes law enforcement officials who led her away. Momika, who appeared shocked however unharmed, then resumed his demonstration, which had been licensed by police.

Police spokeswoman Towe Hägg mentioned the lady, who was not recognized by police, was detained on suspicion of disturbing public order and violence in opposition to a police officer.

Momika, a refugee from Iraq, has desecrated the Quran in a collection of anti-Islam protests which have precipitated anger in lots of Muslim nations. Swedish police have allowed his demonstrations, citing freedom of speech whereas submitting preliminary hate speech fees in opposition to him.

Prosecutors are investigating whether or not his actions are permissible below Sweden’s hate speech legislation, which prohibits incitement of hatred in opposition to teams or people based mostly on race, faith or sexual orientation. Momika says his protests goal the faith of Islam, not Muslim individuals.

The Quran-burnings have sparked offended protests in Muslim nations, assaults on Swedish diplomatic missions and threats from Islamic extremists.

Sweden on Thursday raised its terror alert to the second-highest stage, saying the nation had turn into a precedence goal for terrorist teams.