Sweden’s Nato bid harmed by Koran burning

SWEDEN’S prime minister has condemned the “deeply disrespectful” burning of the Koran in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm.

Far-right politician Rasmus Paludan set fire to a copy of the Muslim holy book on Saturday in the Swedish capital, raising tensions with Turkey at a time when Stockholm is courting Ankara to approve its Nato ascension.

Furious that Mr Paludan had been permitted by Swedish police to carry out the protest, Ankara cancelled a visit by Sweden’s defence minister and summoned Stockholm’s ambassador.

Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish prime minister, tweeted: “Freedom of expression is a fundamental part of democracy. But what is legal is not necessarily appropriate.”

“I want to express my sympathy for all Muslims who are offended by what has happened in Stockholm today.”

Sweden’s Nato application has been stalled amid Ankara’s demands that it hand over Kurdish activists. Many Muslim countries have expressed outrage over the burning of the Koran.

Morocco said it was “astonished” the authorities had allowed it to take place “in front of the Swedish forces of order”. Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates condemned it, as did the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Jakarta said “the act of blasphemy against the holy book has hurt and tarnished religious tolerance”, adding that “freedom of expression must be exercised in a responsible manner”.

Dozens of protesters gathered late on Saturday in front of the Swedish consulate in Istanbul, where they burned a Swedish flag and called on Turkey to sever diplomatic ties with Stockholm.