Several journalists covering the protests were detained by security forces, and at least one was beaten, according to multiple organizations.
“Journalists should be free to report the news without fear of harassment or harm, wherever they are,” Reuters Iraq Bureau Chief Timour Azhari tweeted Thursday. Two detained Reuters journalists were released after several hours, the agency said.
A Stockholm police spokesperson said there were two people in attendance with a permit for the protest and estimated that another 150 people were present, most of them reporters. Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia also publicly condemned the holy book’s desecration in Sweden, with authorities in Tehran and Riyadh summoning Swedish diplomats to express their anger.
However, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack on the Swedish embassy, calling it part of a concerning pattern of assaults on diplomatic missions. Sweden’s embassy staff in Baghdad are all safe amid protests outside of the building, the foreign ministry’s press office told CNN via email.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Protesters in Iraq storm Swedish Embassy amid continuing anger over Quran burningProtesters angered by the burning of a copy of the Quran stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad early Thursday, breaking into the compound and lighting a small fire.
Read more »
Outrage over man who desecrated Quran prompts protesters to set Swedish Embassy in Iraq on fireProtesters angered by the planned burning of a copy of the Quran by an Iraqi man in Sweden stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad, overrunning the diplomatic compound and starting a fire.
Read more »
Iraqi protesters storm Swedish embassy in Baghdad over Quran burning | CNNHundreds of protesters stormed the main gates of the Swedish embassy in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad early Thursday in response to police in Stockholm granting permission for a demonstration were organizers are reportedly planning another burning of the Muslim holy book, the Quran.
Read more »
Protesters storm Swedish Embassy in Baghdad ahead of planned Quran burning in StockholmProtesters angered by the planned burning of a copy of the Quran stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad early Thursday, breaking into the compound and lighting a small fire.
Read more »
Swedish Embassy in Iraq Torched in Response to Quran BurningsHundreds of people stormed the building in Baghdad.
Read more »
Swedish Embassy in Iraq Set on Fire in Protest Against Planned Quran BurningAngry Iraqis stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad, scaling its walls and setting it on fire in protest against the expected burning of a Quran in Stockholm
Read more »