Sweden arrests 1 suspect for mosque arson

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - A 20-year-old Norwegian man was arrested Wednesday and remanded in custody in Sweden for allegedly attempting to set fire to a mosque in what prosecutors are treating as both arson and a hate crime.

The incident occurred on the night of March 28 at a mosque operated by the Uddevalla Cultural Centre in western Sweden. The suspect was taken into custody three days later, according to Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

Prosecutor Marie Andersson said formal charges have been filed against the man for arson and committing a hate crime. She noted that the suspect is known to admire Nazi ideology.

“Images of Nazi propaganda and addresses of Muslim and Jewish religious sites were found on the suspect’s mobile phone,” Andersson said.

According to prosecutors, the man attempted to ignite the mosque by pouring flammable liquid while people were still inside. The fire was quickly extinguished by those present, preventing it from spreading.

Andersson confirmed that the suspect has confessed to the crime.