Swedish artist Lars Vilks killed in mystery car crash after two murder attempts following drawings of Prophet Mohammed

3 yıl önce
SEWDISH artist Lars Vilks was killed in mystery car crash after two murder attempts following his drawings of the Prophet Mohammed. Vilks, who lived under police protection since his 2007 sketch of the Prophet Mohammad with a dog’s body brought death threats, died in a horror car crash on Sunday, Swedish news media reported. APThe mystery accident occurred on a stretch of road in Kronoberg province, Sweden[/caption] AFPLars Vilks, 75, had lived under police protection since 2007[/caption] The provocateur artist was killed when the police car he was driving in careened onto the wrong side of the road, colliding with a truck. Both cars exploded into flames and the truck driver, 45, was later taken to hospital with serious injuried. The Swedish news agency TT said police had confirmed that Vilks, 75, was traveling in the car with two police officers, and the newspaper Dagens Nyheter said the artist’s partner confirmed his death. The cause of the accident is being investigated by police. The fatal crash took place just before 3pm in Markaryd, in the province of Kronoberg, Sweden. Vilks gained notoriety and numerous death threats for his drawing of the Prophet Mohammed with a dog’s body in 2007. Dogs are considered unclean by conservative Muslims, and Islamic law generally opposes any depiction of the prophet, even favourable, for fear it could lead to idolatry. Most read in The Sun ANTI-VAXX WAG John Stones' partner causing controversy by reposting anti-vaxx messages HOL NEW WORLD Huge change to travel rules TODAY as green and amber lists scrapped LEGGING IT RHOC star, 40, flashes legs out with new partner West Ham owner Sullivan, 72 SWIMMING FOOLS Boozy gran, 46, & pal break legs on flume sneaking into pool at 2am BIG HIT I broke a chair in front of Matt Damon - it was time for gastric band, says Alison GONE BARROWMAN ITV officially axe Dancing on Ice judge John Barrowman over flashing claims In 2015, lone gunman Omar El-Hussein fired shots out the front of Krudttonden cafe where the artist was taking part in a debate on free speech. Al-Qaida put a bounty on Vilks’ head and in 2010, two men tried to burn down his house in southern Sweden. Just last year a woman from Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in a plot to try to kill him. On the accident, National Police Chief Anders Thornberg said: “It is with dismay and great sadness that I received the news that our two colleagues and our security person died this afternoon. “My thoughts go out to their relatives, families, friends and co-workers.” The relatives of Vilks and the two officers have been notified. Senior prosecutor Anders Jakobsson said: “With the information I have now, it indicates that it is an accident. “But the investigation is at a very early stage.” The truck driver was airlifted to hospital and will be questioned by police. The car carrying Vilks was reportedly travelling at high speed before it crossed into the other lane and collided with the trust, wedging itself underdeath it. Swedish police have said they cannot rule out “criminal suspicions” at the current time. According to Swedish outlet Expressen, rescue services and police said it would take some effort for a car to pass into the other lane given they’re separated by a wire fence. That patch of road has reportedly been rebuilt several times in recent years to improve traffic conditions. EPAThe car carrying Vilks veered into the opposite lane before smashing into a lorry, reports claim[/caption] AFPVilks’ drawing of the Prophet Mohammed caused outrage in the Muslim world[/caption] EPAVilks was a prolific artist whose works often provoked outrage[/caption] We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 02077824104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.