Convicting man over Koran burning would reintroduce blasphemy law, court told
- Hamit Coskun, a 50-year-old asylum seeker from Turkey, is on trial for burning a Koran and disorderly behaviour in Knightsbridge, London on February 13, 2025.
- Coskun fled Turkey after persecution and torture as a political activist and posted concerns about Islamism in Turkey before his London protest.
- At 2pm, Coskun burned a Koran outside the Turkish consulate, was assaulted by a man clutching the burning book, and later faced threats at his UK home.
- Coskun pleads not guilty, claiming his Koran burning as peaceful protest under Article 10 rights, while campaigners warn a conviction risks reintroducing blasphemy laws.
- The case challenges the balance between free expression and public order laws, with critics highlighting risks to freedom of thought, conscience, and protest in the UK.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Verdict reserved in trial of FSU member over Koran burning
Deputy District Judge John McGarva has reserved judgment in the case of FSU member Hamit Coskun, who stood trial this week at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for burning a copy of the Koran outside the Turkish Consulate in London. The judge will now deliver his verdict at 11am on Monday.Hamit, 50, is a Kurdish-Armenian asylum-seeker from Turkey. As a committed atheist, his actions were, he says, a protest against the “Islamist government” of Pres…
Convicting man accused of setting fire to Quran could 'reintroduce blasphemy'
Hamit Coskun, 50, allegedly shouted 'F*** Islam', 'Islam is a religion of terrorism' and 'Koran is burning' as he held the flaming Islamic text up in Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, on February 13.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium