Erdogan says Sweden lost NATO bid support as Turkey fumes at Quran burning

Three days of protests followed a demonstration in Stockholm as President Erdogan says Sweden lost Turkey's support for its NATO accession
YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters burn a portrait of Rasmus Paludan, leader of Danish far-right political party Hard Line, in front of the Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul on Jan. 22, 2023, after Paludan, who also has Swedish citizenship, burned a copy of the Quran near the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm. - YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images
andrewwilk.jpg
Andrew Wilks
@AndyWilks61

ISTANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at Swedish authorities Monday over protests in Sweden.

Turkish reactions to protests in Stockholm — in particular the burning of a Quran by a far-right figure — have shown a growing gulf between the countries as Sweden and Finland try to win Turkey’s support for their NATO membership. The Quran burning by anti-immigrant activist Rasmus Paludan outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm Saturday sparked three days of protests across Turkey. 

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 for annual access.

Videos

See more