Archive · 3 Jun 2025
Man Convicted for Quran Burning in London
A man named Hamit Coskun burned a Quran outside the Turkish consulate in London and was found guilty.
He was protesting against the Turkish government.
The court fined him because his actions, including shouting offensive language, were a disturbance of public order.
Groups that support free speech are against the verdict.
His actions were viewed as disorderly behaviour by the judge and the court, who focused on his language and the location of the protest.
The verdict sparked controversy, with some saying it resembled an outdated blasphemy law.
Hamit Coskun was found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offence.
The incident involved Coskun burning a Quran outside the Turkish consulate in London.
He shouted anti-Islam statements during the act.
The court fined Coskun £240.
The National Secular Society supported his legal fees.
- Who
- Hamit Coskun, a 50-year-old man.
- What
- Coskun burned a Quran and was found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offence.
- When
- The verdict was delivered on Monday.
- Where
- Outside the Turkish consulate in London.
- Why
- Coskun was protesting against the Turkish government and expressed views on Islam.
- Defendant
- Hamit Coskun
- Charge
- Religiously aggravated public order offence
- Location
- Outside Turkish consulate in London
- Fine
- £240 ($325)
- Motivation
- Protest against the Turkish government
- Supporters
- National Secular Society (NSS)
