Hamit Coskun fined after burning a copy of the Quran in London

British Blasphemy Prosecution: London Man Convicted After Burning Qur’an

We recently discussed how the United Kingdom has continued its erosion of free speech by pushing an effective blasphemy law. Now, a London man has been convicted of a “religiously aggravated public order offence.” Hamit Coskun, 50, a Turkish-born Armenian-Kurdish atheist was arrested after burning a Qur’an. Coskun was protesting the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara over his embrace of radical Islamic principles. Exclaiming “f**k Isla…

Protect freedom to criticise Islam in law, MPs demand

The freedom to criticise Islam must be protected, a group of parliamentarians have said following the conviction of FSU member Hamit Coskun for burning a Koran. Conservative MP Nick Timothy, backed by 11 colleagues, is now bringing forward a Bill to close what they see as a dangerous loophole in the Public Order Act and strengthen protections for speech critical of all religions.Hamit Coskun, 50, was found guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Cour…

Britain Imposes Islamic Blasphemy Law as Man is Convicted of Burning a Quran

The caseconcerns a man convicted of a “religiously aggravated public order offence” for burning a Koran outside the Turkish consulate.

The British Mother Serving Time for a Tweet

LONDON — On Monday, Britain sentenced Hamit Coskun, 51, to pay £240 (roughly $325) for burning a copy of the Quran and shouting “Islam is religion of terrorism” outside the Turkish embassy in London.Coskun’s behavior was obnoxious, but not illegal: Britain abolished its blasphemy laws in 2008. His case shows that they are returning under the guise of maintaining “public order.” In a tense and divided society, free speech is a luxury that the gov…

Blasphemy Law: Man Convicted for Burning Qur’an During London Protest

Britain’s liberal-leaning judiciary has effectively created new blasphemy laws, free speech campaigners argued, after a man was convicted of a