Tehran, 23 July 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Iran's head of state Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday called for the extradition of the person responsible for the renewed desecration of a Koran in Sweden on Thursday.

"Muslim scholars agree that the perpetrator of this crime must receive the harshest punishment," said a statement published by the office of the religious leader.

Sweden is drawing the hatred of the Muslim world, he continued.

The leader did not specify what he considered to be the "harshest punishment."

On Thursday, for the second time in a few weeks, a Koran was desecrated by an Iraqi national in an anti-Islam stunt in the Swedish capital. A burning at the end of June had already caused outrage in the Muslim world.

In Iran, desecration of the Koran is considered blasphemy. In extreme cases, the death penalty is imposed.

However, the demonstration had been permitted by the Swedish police since criticism of religions falls under freedom of expression in the Scandinavian country.

The public prosecution did nonetheless open an investigation into the incident for possible incitement of the people, marking the first such case in Sweden.

Following the incident in Sweden, thousands took to the streets in Iran in state-organized protests after Friday prayers.

Protestors marched to the Swedish embassy in the capital Tehran.

On Thursday evening, the Swedish ambassador had been summoned to the Foreign Ministry.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian announced that he would no longer allow any new Swedish ambassador in Iran.