Russia calls desecration of Quran in Stockholm ‘another provocative act of Islamophobia’

MOSCOW (AA) – The Russian Foreign Ministry has blasted the desecration of the Quran in Stockholm “as another provocative act of Islamophobia.”

“These blasphemous actions predictably provoked a harsh reaction in the Islamic world, including the Russian Muslim community,” spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a news conference.

“The excuses of Swedish authorities, who are trying to hide behind statements about freedom of speech, sound at least cowardly. The police allegedly issued a permit only to hold a demonstration in front of the Turkish Embassy.”

She noted that Swedish authorities did not take action to investigate the incident.

“They like to teach everyone else how to respect human rights and freedoms, they shout about their democracy at every corner. But in reality, in particular, in Stockholm, they do not show respect for either foreign legitimate governments or world religions,” she said.