Protesters break into Swedish embassy in Baghdad and set it on fire

In Baghdad, demonstrators protesting against the burning of a copy of the Koran in Stockholm set fire to the Swedish embassy. Hundreds of people broke into the building where the diplomatic mission is quartered early Thursday morning, according to Reuters. According to preliminary data, none of the employees of the diplomatic mission was injured.

The protest was organized by supporters of the influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr after reports of another action to burn the Koran. The action will take place on July 20 near the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm. The Swedish police have already issued a permit.

Recall that in late June, the Iraqi authorities demanded that the Swedish government extradite an immigrant who publicly burned the Koran in Stockholm.

Permission for a public action in that case was also issued by the city police. After that, a 37-year-old migrant from Iraq tore out several pages from the sacred book for Muslims and set them on fire. Hundreds of people watched the event. One of the spectators tried to prevent the act of vandalism and began to throw stones at the provocateur, but he was immediately detained by the police.

The Iraqi authorities condemned the action, expressing concern that Koran burning could plunge the world into the abyss of terrorism.