Man convicted for burning Qur'an in public protest

In February 2025, Hamit Coskun, a 50-year-old Turkish-born Armenian-Kurdish atheist, staged a protest outside the Turkish consulate in London where he burned a copy of the Qur'an. His actions were accompanied by provocative statements against Islam, asserting that it is a 'religion of terrorism'. The protest was fueled by his discontent with the Turkish government, led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which he accused of promoting radical Islam and attempting to implement a Sharia system in Turkey. Coskun's protest escalated when he was attacked by an assailant, who used a blade during the altercation. The attacker was later identified and pleaded guilty to assault. Despite this violent encounter, the focus of the subsequent legal proceedings was on Coskun, who was charged with a religiously aggravated public order offence. During the trial, Coskun claimed that his actions were an expression of free speech, arguing that the protest was vital in addressing what he perceives as the Islamification of Turkey. The Judge, John McGarva, upheld the conviction and imposed a fine of £240 along with a surcharge of £96. In his ruling, McGarva cited Coskun's history and experiences in Turkey as indicative of a deep-seated hatred towards Islam and Muslims. The case has ignited debates about free speech and blasphemy laws in Britain, with many arguing that this conviction harkens back to blasphemy offenses that were officially abolished in 2008. Following the ruling, Coskun condemned the court's decision, describing it as an attack on free expression. He expressed concerns that this case could serve to intimidate others who seek to exercise their right to challenge religious ideologies. The Free Speech Union, which supported him throughout the trial, announced plans to appeal the conviction, emphasizing the need for tolerance of dissenting views in a society that values freedom of expression. The incident further highlights increasing tensions surrounding religious protests in Europe, particularly in relation to Islam, which have historically led to violent confrontations.