Iraqi police disperse hundreds of demonstrators in Baghdad

New filling. In the early hours of Saturday, July 22, Iraqi security forces dispersed hundreds of Muqtada al-Sadr’s supporters in Baghdad, who tried to join the highly secured Green Zone including the embassies. The demonstrators had gathered to protest the desecration of the Koran amid diplomatic tensions.

>> We explain the controversy between Sweden, Iraq and other Islamic countries

The nighttime demonstration was prompted by press reports that seemed to indicate the desecration of the Koran in Denmark. The far-right Danske Patrioter movement posted on its Facebook page a video on Friday of a man burning what appears to be a Quran and trampling on an Iraqi flag. Contacted by AFP on Saturday, Deputy Chief Inspector of Copenhagen Trine Fisker said “I confirmed a very small demonstration yesterday in front of the Iraqi embassy: I can also confirm that a book was burned and we do not know which book it was.”.

“These actions put all parties in sensitive positions.”

For several days, reckless religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr has been puffing on coals, embarrassing the Iraqi authorities against the backdrop of dangerous regional diplomatic tensions. After two authorized public events in Stockholm during which an Iraqi refugee desecrated the Quran, Sadrist protesters set fire to the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday, and the Iraqi government announced the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador, and regional condemnations followed.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemned on Saturday “Desecration of the Holy Quran and the Iraqi flag in front of the Iraqi embassy in Denmark.”estimated in a press release that this Ugly facts cannot be part of the context of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.. “These actions provoke reactions and put all parties in sensitive situations.”, to caution. However, the ministry reiterates its full compliance with the Vienna Conventiondo you guarantee it “The Iraqi government guarantees the protection and security provided to the diplomatic staff.”.

Iran also condemned the incident in Copenhagen. “From the point of view of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Danish government is responsible when it comes to preventing insults to the Holy Quran and everything sacred in Islam, and it must take legal measures to punish those who insult them.”The Iranian diplomatic spokesman confirmed. And Tehran issued a decree on Friday not to accept any Swedish ambassador to Iran as long as it is “concrete measures” Sweden will not take it to avoid any further desecration of the Koran on its soil.