An Iraqi man who staged Quran burnings in Sweden was shot dead hours before he was set to receive a verdict on Thursday in a trial tied to the desecrations of Islam’s holy book that drew worldwide uproar, authorities said.

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden will fast-track new legislation to allow police to use electronic surveillance tools against minors after dozens of gang-related bombings in the capital Stockholm in January, the prime minister said on Thursday.

Iraqi atheist Salwan Momika’s provocations had sparked violent protests and prompted Turkey to suspend NATO negotiations with Sweden.

The Nordic country will double the amount of Stridsbåt 90 combat boats it’s donating from Swedish armed forces stocks to 32 boats, among other things.

An Iraqi refugee and anti-Islam campaigner was shot dead in Sweden hours before he was due to receive a court verdict following a trial over burning the Koran, and five people were arrested over the shooting on Thursday.

Prosecutor Rasmus Oman confirmed to AFP that an investigation had been opened into the murder of 38-year-old Salwan Momika and that five people had been arrested.

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Swedish police arrested five people on Thursday after an Iraqi anti-Islam campaigner was shot dead hours before a court verdict was due in a trial over his burning the Koran, as the prime minister expressed concerns over the killing's links to a foreign power.

Swedish authorities say an Iraqi man who carried out several Quran burnings in Sweden has been killed in a shooting near Stockholm.

Sweden is fast-tracking legislation allowing police to use electronic surveillance on minors after a series of gang-related bombings in. The move aims to tackle escalating gang crime, partly driven by youth recruited via social media.

An Iraqi man who previously made headlines for burning a copy of the Quran was shot and killed in Sweden. Anti-Islam activist Salwan Momika was shot dead in the country's capital city of Stockholm on Wednesday. Five people have been arrested following his assassination, Swedish authorities told CNN.

Victor Hedman was named captain of Team Sweden for the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday. The 34-year-old defenseman is in his first season as captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning. This is the first time Hedman will captain Sweden in international play. He was an assistant captain for Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Championships, where they won bronze.