Sweden's Iraq embassy, whose activities are temporarily being managed from Stockholm, "has received confirmation from local authorities that a total of three Swedish citizens have been sentenced to death in Iraq", the foreign ministry said.

It did not provide details on the shooting incident, but said it had summoned Iraq's ambassador to Sweden to protest the rulings and demand the sentences not be carried out.

"We are taking steps to prevent their enforcement," the ministry said in a statement.

It added that reports said a fourth Swede had also been sentenced to death, though the person's identity could not be confirmed.