Gennady Askaldovich, the Special Representative of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs for Cooperation in the Field of Observance of Religious Freedom, warned that failing to punish those who burned the Qur’an during Eid al-Adha in Sweden could produce dangerous, long-term consequences. This assessment was released in a statement carried by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He noted that on 14 June the United Nations Security Council urged states to publicly condemn violence, hate speech, and extremism that often arise from religious discrimination, and he emphasized that Swedish authorities had not taken decisive action in response to the incident. Askaldovich argued that the situation runs counter to the spirit of the UN call and could undermine efforts to curb religious hatred.
The diplomat stressed that official Stockholm should not tolerate religious extremism in any form. He warned that presenting the incident as merely a breach of protocol or an unfortunate lapse does not address the underlying issues. In his view, a measured, real response from Swedish authorities and broader Western leadership is needed to counteract extremism rather than relying solely on rhetoric.
A representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry likewise criticized the Swedish reaction, saying that describing the Qur’an burning as merely inappropriate falls short of an adequate condemnation. The spokesperson urged stronger actions aimed at preventing religiously motivated violence and at safeguarding minority communities in Europe.
Askaldovich added that impunity for such acts could lead to unforeseen and potentially disastrous results. He called for sustained, practical measures to combat religious extremism, including legal accountability, public education, and robust cross-border cooperation to deter and sanction those who incite hatred or violence on religious grounds.
Separately, it was noted that the former Ambassador to Sweden, at the request of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, weighed in on the Stockholm incident. The broader international community is watching how the Swedish government responds, particularly given concerns about protecting religious freedoms and maintaining public order across Western countries.
The discourse surrounding the event continues to unfold, with experts and policymakers urging careful consideration of the implications for international norms on religious liberty, civil rights, and the safety of faith communities. The exchange reflects a persistent push from several states for firmer accountability while avoiding escalation of tensions in the region.