For the second time in a week, Türkiye on Friday summoned the Swedish ambassador to Ankara over Sweden's permission for a planned burning of the Quran, Islam's holy book, near the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm.

Iran PressAsia: Sweden's ambassador Staffan Herrstrom was told that Türkiye "strongly condemns this provocative act, which is clearly a hate crime, that Sweden's attitude is unacceptable, that Ankara expects the act not to be allowed, and insults to sacred values ​​cannot be defended under the guise of democratic rights," the Turkish diplomatic sources said.

Türkiye warned Sweden that allowing propaganda activities that PKK-affiliated circles are preparing to carry out in the capital Stockholm on Saturday is a "clear violation" of the tripartite deal, the sources added.

Rasmus Paludan, the leader of the Danish far-right party Stram Kurs (Hard Line), was given permission to burn the Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm, according to Stockholm police.

Meanwhile, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said he was concerned that the demonstration risks further delaying Türkiye's ratification of Sweden's NATO bid. However, he added that it would be "very inappropriate" for him to call for a person not to be allowed to carry out a demonstration.

Sweden, Finland and Türkiye signed a tripartite agreement in 2022 with the aim of overcoming Turkish objections to the membership of the two Baltic states.

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