How to make yourself unremovable
image src: Wikimedia Commons
On Thursday this week, the Swedish Migration Agency came to the decision to remove (deport) Salman Momika. Momika, famous for publicly and provocatively burning the Qur’an on a number of occasions, was found to have given incorrect information in his asylum application as to why he needed the safety and security of living in Sweden.
Momika has been ordered to leave the country. However, given the difficulties in actually carrying out his removal, he has been granted a temporary stay until April, 2024 (which is when his temporary residence permit expires). Momika immediately appealed the removal verdict saying there were political motives for the decision, but the Swedish Appeals Court denied the appeal the next day.
It is uncertain as to whether Momika will ever be able to be removed. Unless the person agrees to leave, Swedish law does not allow removals to countries where the person runs the risk of being tortured or sentenced to death (Utlänningslag 2005: 716). Countries that may in turn send the person on to such a country are also out of the question. Momika’s lack of decency has successfully made him likely non-removable, courtesy of Swedish decency.