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Far-right activists have burned a Koran in the southern Swedish city of Malmo, leading to riots as more than 300 people gathered to protest, according to police.

Rioters started fires and threw objects at police and rescue services on Friday night, slightly injuring several officers.

About 15 people were detained.

The violence followed far-right activists burning a Koran near a predominantly migrant neighbourhood on Friday afternoon.

They filmed the act and posted the footage online, according to the TT news agency.

Later, three people were arrested on suspicion of inciting hatred against an ethnic group after kicking the Muslim holy book.

The head of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Miguel Moratinos, expressed "unequivocal condemnation of the burning of the Koran by far-right extremists … as despicable and totally unacceptable," his spokeswoman said.

She said Mr Moratinos called on religious leaders of all faiths to denounce all violence based on religious belief.

Ms Nihal added: "Such deplorable acts perpetrated by hate mongers … and other radical groups incite violence and tear apart the fabric of our communities."

Far-right activists' Koran burning in Swedish city sparks riot