US EditionHamit Coskun fined after burning a copy of the Quran in London
- On February 13, 2025, Hamit Coskun, 50, burned a Quran and shouted provocative remarks near the Turkish consulate located in London's Knightsbridge area.
- Coskun's actions stemmed from hostility towards Islam, motivated by his personal and familial experiences related to the religion.
- District Judge John McGarva found Coskun's conduct provocative and aggravating, emphasizing the disorderly behaviour likely to cause harassment or distress.
- Coskun was fined £240 plus a £96 surcharge, while the Free Speech Union and National Secular Society, funding his appeal, warned the case threatens freedom of expression.
- The conviction has sparked controversy over the boundaries of free speech and concerns that it may effectively reinstate blasphemy laws under the guise of public order regulations, with supporters committed to pursuing appeals all the way through international human rights tribunals.
80 Articles
80 Articles
Blasphemy Laws by a Different Name
Hamit Coskun leaving court after his sentencing, June 2, 2025. (Photo by Aaron Chown/PA Images.)Salwan Momika grew up in Iraq. After fighting with the Popular Mobilization Forces against ISIS, he fled to Sweden, became a vocal critic of Islam, and burned multiple Qurans. In January he was shot dead in that country—a killing welcomed by Al-Qaeda.Nobody has yet been charged in connection with the crime, but it clearly took place in the shadow of a…
UK's Free Speech Crisis: Quran Burning Case Exposes Rising Blasphemy Enforcement - Stephen K Bannon's War Room
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front):A recent case in the United Kingdom highlights a dangerous shift toward de facto blasphemy laws under the guise of “public order offenses.” An atheist activist was convicted after burning a Quran—despite being physically attacked—while his assailant awaits trial years from now. Commentators Jenny Holland and Ben Harnwell argue this case exposes the erosion of free speech rights in the UK, driven by demographic shifts,…
JONATHAN TURLEY
Utopia - you are standing in it!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…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources lean Right
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
